A teenager has been charged with the murder of a taxi driver who was found fatally stabbed shortly after dropping off a fare near Earlswood Lakes.

Mohammed Istakhar, 44, was found with serious injuries at around 6.45am on Tuesday (29 November) at the junction of Braggs Farm Lane and Lady Lane.

Nothing could be done to save the father-of-five despite the efforts of paramedics who rushed to the scene near Earlsdon Lakes reservoir and the Red Lion pub.

Detectives said it is understood Mr Istakhar had earlier that morning driven a fare from Birmingham city centre to the Solihull area.

Luca De-Fazio, 18, was arrested in connection with the death and later charged with murder.

He has been remanded to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court today (2 December).

Police were called to the scene early on Tuesday morning - November 29 (SWNS)

Mr Istakhar's family have paid tribute to him in a statement issued by police.

They said: "Our daddy, our hero. Our hard-working father has been taken so quickly from us.

"He was our world. He was so loved, respected by the whole of our community.

"He leaves behind his grieving wife, his five children who he loved deeply, his elderly mother, his three sisters, his one brother and fur babies.

"Our Martyr will live on and has set at an example for his children. He will never be forgotten. See you on the other side daddy."

Det Insp Michelle Thurgood, from West Midlands Police CID, said: "Our thoughts are with the family of Mr Istakhar at this tragic time and our investigation teams are focused on establishing exactly what happened.

"One person has been arrested and we are continuing with door-to-door enquiries as well as CCTV trawls and forensic investigations at several locations as we build a full picture of events.

"We have already spoken with a number of people who were in the area or live nearby and would urge anyone who hasn't yet been in touch to contact us."