A MAN today admitted making false statements to detectives and hampering their investigation into the murder of Redwan El-Ghaidouni in Vine Lane, Hillingdon, this year.

Marwais Kakar, 34, of Great Field Drive, Uxbridge, pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court.

Det Chief Insp Noel McHugh, leading the investigation, said: "Kakar deliberately misled the police investigation by providing false information which not only hampered our inquiries but has been heartbreaking for Redwan's family.

"As with any murder, no stone is left unturned. When people lie to us, we will uncover their deceit and they will be held accountable."

Redwan, 38, was shot as he sat in the driver's seat of his parked car on the driveway of the home he shared with his partner and three children just before 7pm on Tuesday, February 3.

An important line of inquiry was determining where Redwan was between the time he left work that day to when he arrived home. His journey had taken considerably longer than normal, around 90 minutes instead of 20 minutes.

Kalkar was indentified as someone who'd had contact with the victim shortly before his murder and was therefore traced and interviewed.

Kalkar initially told detectives he knew Redwan by a different name and that he had been a regular customer at his taxi firm.

Over subsequent interviews, he changed his story several times; eventually admitting that Redwan had rented a room from him for occasional visits over two months prior to his death.

It was four months before the full truth emerged, by which time any evidence that the victim had rented a room from Kalkar was gone.

Kalkar will be sentenced on Friday, August 21. The investigation into Redwan's murder continues.

Redwan's partner, Samantha Taitt, said: "It is heartbreaking that people would lie to the police, especially in a murder.

“For Redwan's children, please do the right thing and contact the police. The police are working very hard, but they need your help. The smallest piece of information could be crucial."

Officers are still asking for help in identifying a man seen an hour before Redwan was murdered, standing on the verge by a telegraph pole at the junction of St Andrews Road and Vine Lane. This is opposite Redwan's house.

Police have issued an e-fit of this man in a bid to trace him. The sighting may be significant as the man was seen standing opposite the alleyway detectives know the gunman used to escape on the day of the murder.

After Redwan pulled into his driveway on that Tuesday night, he was approached by a man who shot him eight times through the car window.

The man was wearing a distinctive dark hooded top, with a large motif on the front, dark bottoms, dark gloves and dark shoes or trainers.

He ran off through an alleyway that leads to Saunders Road. He turned the corner where he was caught on one CCTV camera before running in the direction of Dowding Road.

A substantial £50,000 reward remains on offer for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the murder.

Kakar was originally charged with perverting the course of justice, but a plea to making a false statement was accepted by the prosecution.