Man jailed for life after Christmas murder of Mohammed Aftab

Jason Byrne

A man has been jailed for life after the murder of Mohammed Aftab on Christmas Eve 2017.

Dog walkers discovered the body of 21-year-old Mohammed Aftab on Dyehouse Lane, Rochdale on Christmas Day morning.

Today, 26 June 2018, at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, Jason Byrne (05/07/1991) of no fixed abode, has been handed a life sentence with a requirement to spend a minimum of 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of Mohammed.

Mohammed was found with multiple head injuries and stab wounds to the neck. When Byrne was arrested, he was found to have blood on his boots that forensics confirmed belonged to Mohammed.

The investigation uncovered CCTV showing Byrne driving a white van and pulling into the rear car park of the Bull’s Head pub on Halifax Road, and subjecting Mohammed to a brutal and sustained attack.

Following the attack, Byrne drove to Dyehouse Lane where he left Mohammed’s body to be found on Christmas morning.

Detective Inspector David Meeney of GMP’s Major Incident Team said: “This was the horrific murder of a young man who had his whole life ahead of him.

“My thoughts are with his family who have been left devastated by their loss.

“Jason Byrne finally pleaded guilty and has today been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

“I believe this sentence accurately reflects the brutality of this crime. Byrne can now spend the next 25 years considering the life he has taken and the hearts he has left broken by his actions.”