Family Tribute to Rochdale Party Stab Victim

The family of a Manchester man who was stabbed in the back at a Christmas Day party say they "miss him incredibly".

John Lee Barrett, 31, from Harpurhey, was knifed during a private function at Sinclair's Bar, a nightclub in Rochdale.

It is believed he had been hit over the head with a glass or bottle immediately before the stabbing, police said.

His family paid the following tribute: "John was a loving son, caring brother and devoted father. The entire family miss him incredibly"

Police were called to the venue, on Drake Street, at about 2.40am on Sunday following reports of a large disturbance.

The club's security staff had already thrown out a number of people who were inside and police closed the premises.

Mr Barrett was found with stab wounds and taken to hospital where he died on Tuesday, GMP said. A post mortem examination concluded he died from a stab wound to the back.

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare said: "This will be a lengthy and complicated investigation due to the number of people in the club at the time of the incident."

Police have appealed for people who were in the bar that night to come forward.