TWO men have been charged over the murder after a ‘hero’ taxi driver was found fatally stabbed in Earlswood.
Mohammed Istakhar, 44, was found with serious injuries at the junction of Braggs Farm Lane and Lady Lane at around 6.45am on November 29.
Luca De-Fazio, 18, from Solihull, has been charged with murder and was remanded in custody at a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on December 6. A trial date has been set for June.
Oliver Pugh, 19, was due to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court today (December 7).
Floral tributes from family, friends and well-wishers have been left at the roadside where the father of five died.
Mr Istakhar’s devastated family have paid tribute to him.
In a statement they said: “Our daddy, our hero. Our hard working father has been taken so quickly from us.
“He was our world. He was so loved, respected by the whole of our community.
“He leaves behind his grieving wife, his five children who he loved deeply, his elderly mother, his three sisters, his one brother and fur babies.
“Our martyr will live on and has set at an example for his children. He will never be forgotten. See you on the other side daddy.”
Det Insp Michelle Thurgood from West Midlands Police CID said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Mr Istakhar at this tragic time and our investigation teams are focused on establishing exactly what happened.
“We are continuing with door-to-door enquiries as well as CCTV trawls and forensic investigations at several locations as we build a full picture of events.
“We have already spoken with a number of people who were in the area or live nearby and would urge anyone who hasn’t yet been in touch to contact us.”
Anyone with information should contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat online or call 101 and quote log 515 of November 29.
Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
