Tributes have been paid to a man who died after being attacked at his home in north Manchester.
Police were called to the Charminster Drive area of Crumpsall following reports of an assault at around 7.10am on Friday morning (July 1).
John Terrell was discovered with serious injuries inside his home in Peakdale Avenue.
Emergency crews rushed the victim - who is aged in his 50s - to hospital, but he died of his injuries.
Shocked neighbours said they heard ‘banging’ early on Friday morning and saw a heavy police presence.
Neighbour Aneela Mir said she heard ‘bashing’ at about 7am.
She described seeing around five police cars and four ambulances racing to the scene.
She added: “When the police were here I realised it was something serious. It happened all of a sudden. By 7am there were lots of police and ambulances. It’s a nice area. Normally we don’t have fights.
“If it’s the person I think it is he’s a really nice man. He used to help clear snow in winter and help with people’s cars.”
Mr Terrell’s close friend James Costello, 22, from Blackley, told the M.E.N that he was a good man.
He said: “I was very close to him. He was a really nice bloke. He was a very helpful guy with a really good heart. His heart was in the best possible place. He had lots of friends. He was a lovely guy - really down to earth.”
Mr Costello described his friend, who only recently moved to Crumpsall, as a capable handyman who enjoyed working on cars.
He added: “I used to go round to his house, have a drink and a laugh with him and then go to the pub with him. We were pretty close.
“He didn’t have a problem with anyone and he got on with the neighbours really well.
“It’s a big shock. I was only with him last night. It’s heartbreaking that he’s just gone like that.”
Police arrested a 28-year-old man at the scene on suspicion of assault. He remains in police custody for questioning.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Jones, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this difficult time and our specially trained officers will continue to provide support to them. We understand local residents will be quite shocked by this incident but I would like to assure them that a full investigation has been launched and we currently have one man in custody.”
Anyone with any information about the incident should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
