Teenage girl held over man's death

Police have arrested a 16-year-old girl on suspicion of the murder of a man in Greater Manchester at the weekend.

Paul Sandbach, 53, of Sandbach Road in Sale Moor, was assaulted near Cafe Nero on School Road early on Sunday morning.

Mr Sandbach suffered a head injury in the attack and was treated at the scene, but declined to go to hospital.

Greater Manchester Police said that officers had arranged to visit him the next day to check on his welfare and discuss the assault. A statement released by the police said: "When officers went to the house the following day they received no reply when they knocked on the door. On forcing entry, they found Paul in a collapsed condition inside. He was later pronounced dead at the scene."

Greater Manchester Police said that the matter had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission who had assessed all the evidence and decided that they did not need to conduct an investigation.

An investigation will now by carried out by the force's Internal Affairs Branch.

Detectives said that they believed that School Road would have been busy with people leaving nearby clubs and pubs at the time of the assault and are particularly keen to trace a group of youths, aged around 15, who were close to the scene at the time of the attack.

Police had earlier appealed for three young women dressed in bunny girl outfits to come forward, but they have now been traced.

Mr Sandbach's family issued a statement which said: "Paul was a much loved partner, brother, son, father and uncle.

"He spent his working life as a pub landlord in Manchester City Centre before his recent retirement. He was landlord of Rosie's bar, The Bridge Street Tavern, the Shakespeare and The Wagon and Horses.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."

Police have appealed for anyone with any information to contact them on: 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

(KMcA)