A MAN was due to appear in court today charged with murdering his brother-in-law, who died after he was found unconscious at a house in Accrington.

Officers who answered a 999 call from a house in Higher Antley Street at 12.30am yesterday found father-of-three Mohammed Azam, 36, lying inside, unconscious with serious head injuries. He died later. A pick-axe handle was lying nearby.

A post mortem examination showed Mr Azam, of Bullough Close, Accrington, died from head injuries.

Mr Azam's brother-in-law, Mohammed Meherban, 25, of Higher Antley Street, has been charged with murder and was set to appear before Hyndburn magistrates today. He was arrested early yesterday and questioned at Blackburn police station.

Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini, who is leading the murder inquiry, today confirmed his officers were still looking for other people in connection with the attack. Mr Azam, who was unemployed, moved to Accrington from Pakistan in the mid-1980s. He lived with his wife and three sons - Azeem, 14, Nadeem, 12, and Wasim, who is 10. He also looked after his eight-year-old nephew, Sajjad Hussain. Mr Azam's father. Chaudry Kafiat Ali. also lived in Accrington.

A relative at the family home said today: "He didn't deserve this - you wouldn't wish this on your worst enemy. Mohammed was a family person and he used to attend Higher Antley Street mosque.

"Mohammed wouldn't say a bad word to anybody. He looked after his mum and dad and he used to help out other members of the family by picking their children up. He had some rough times but everybody gets lean spells in life. We cannot believe this."

Mr Azam's family are waiting for his body to be released so that a funeral can be held. The family intends to return Mr Azam's body to Pakistan. Anyone with information about Mr Azam's death should call Accrington Police on 01254 382141.

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