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14-year-old charged with murder of restaurant owner

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a restaurant owner in Romiley, Stockport, which took place a day after the killing of Brighton restaurateur Sue Addis.

Image: Greater Manchester Police / family handout

Mohammed Islam, 53, was struck by his own car following a robbery. It is believed he was out delivering food in the Romiley area of Stockport on the night of 8 January when the incident happened.

Police were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the junction of Lyme Grove and Hazel Avenue. Islam was taken to hospital but sadly died on 10 January.

Islam was the owner of Marple Spice restaurant in Marple.

A 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested following the car robbery. He has since been charged with murder and numerous driving offences, and is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today.

Police recovered the silver Mercedes, which was stolen in the incident, in Denton, Tameside. They say attempts had been made to set the vehicle on fire.

Authorities are appealing to anyone that has further information about the incident to get in touch.

Detective Chief Inspector Liam Boden of Greater Manchester Police’s major incident team said: “As our investigation continues I would like to pay tribute to Mohammed’s family who have shown such admirable bravery and dignity this week during the most tragic of circumstances imaginable.

“They and the local community have responded stoically in the last few days and we are doing all we can to support Mohammed’s loved ones with specialist officers at this awful time.

“Our priority is to ensure they get the answers they are undoubtedly owed and we urge anyone with information or footage relating this incident to submit to our portal or to contact us via phone so we can ensure we ascertain the full details of this incident.”

In a statement released yesterday, Islam’s family described him as a “everything you could ask for in a parent: a mentor, a role model – our best friend”.

His family said: “Our family cannot begin to describe what losing our father has done to us. The fact he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and was taken from us so early leaves us devastated beyond belief.

“We shared everything with him and there was nothing we couldn’t tell him that he couldn’t fix. He was extremely loyal and nothing came between him and his family. Our Mum is overcome with grief; Dad was her life partner, her best friend and her rock. They were inseparable since the day they met and we don’t think she will ever be able to move on from this tragedy.

“To our Dad, family and the community was everything. He dedicated his time to helping others and he was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He would give his time and support to anyone who needed it without question, his loss is going to be felt by everybody.

“We as a family have felt overwhelmed and truly humbled by the sheer volume of messages from people everywhere expressing their love and support. It just emphasises how truly special our Dad was.

“It’s going to take our family quite some time to come to terms with losing our father so suddenly and in such horrific circumstances. We would appreciate our privacy being respected at this time.”

The news follows the murder of Brighton-based restaurateur Susan Addis on 7 January. Addis was found at her home in the Withdean area of Brighton. A 17-year-old boy, who police say was known to the victim, has since been charged with her murder.

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