Man, 26, charged with the murder of ‘loving’ Arsenal fan

A 26-year-old man is to appear in court charged with the murder of Mohammed Aftab who was found dead on a country lane on Christmas Day.

Greater Manchester Police said Jason Byrnes, of Waithlands Road, Rochdale, is to appear in custody before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

Mr Aftab, 21, was discovered with stab wounds to the neck and multiple head injuries in Dyehouse Lane in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, at about 8.15am on Monday.

 Mr Aftab’s family described him as a ‘vibrant’ and ‘bubbly’ person who was ‘idolised’ by his sisters and brother. A formal identification of his body has taken place

Mr Aftab’s family described him as a ‘vibrant’ and ‘bubbly’ person who was ‘idolised’ by his sisters and brother. A formal identification of his body has taken place.

In a statement released earlier by police, his father Altaf Hussain said: ‘This has been a devastating loss to all the family.

‘Aftab had respect and love for people from all walks of life. You see these things happen to other people but can never comprehend it when it happens to you.

‘We all loved him from the bottom of our hearts and will miss him. 

Officers were called to the scene at around 8.15am on Monday and he was formally identified the following day

Greater Manchester Police said he suffered ‘multiple head injuries and stab wounds to the neck’ and the news of his death was ‘devastating’ to his family

‘Aftab was a bubbly person; he was loving towards all his family, exactly what you can expect from a son.

‘Nobody had a bad word to say about Aftab, this has left all his friends and family heartbroken.

‘In the last few days we have had unimaginable support from people including those we have not known. We are thankful for everyone’s love and support they have shown especially those from the Rochdale community.’