Aldridge stabbing: Man found dead on High Street named as James Brindley
A man stabbed to death in Aldridge on Friday has been named as James Brindley.
Mr Brindley, aged 26, lived locally and had been for a night out with friends when he was stabbed. He was pronounced dead at the scene on Aldridge High Street after paramedics were called at around midnight.
Police are treating his death as murder.
On Saturday Mr Brindley's distraught family described him as an outgoing but 'fiercely loyal' and trusting young man.
In a tribute released via West Midlands Police they said: "Outwardly James appeared to be a Jack the Lad, without a care in the world, but that belied his true nature which was deeply sensitive and fiercely loyal to his family and friends.
"He was a very straightforward and trusting person.’’
The motive behind the attack is not known and detectives, who are yet to make any arrests, are appealing for witnesses to come forward and help them establish exactly what happened.
Detective Inspector Jim Munro, from Force CID, said: "We have spoken to several people who were in the location last night (Friday), but we are still asking people to come forward to help us piece together what happened and the motive behind the attack.
"James’ family are understandably distraught at his loss and our thoughts remain with them."
A police cordon remained in place on the High Street and around the grassy Croft parkland on Saturday afternoon, where officers have been patrolling since late on Friday.
Neighbours had woken up to a heavy police presence, including specialist forensic officers who erected a blue tent on the corner of the High Street outside the Glitters shop.
Marjorie Downing, 79, said: "I was coming out to do shopping earlier to miss the rush and then police were everywhere and had blocked off the street.
"A private ambulance came and took someone away. When I heard that a young man had died I thought how terrible."
Meanwhile Jacquee Moseley, who lives near Aldridge Croft, said she feared the worse when she heard police sirens.
She said: "There were lots of police and ambulance sirens. I was about to go to bed but these alarms keep going on. I knew it was something bad.
"I've lived here all my life and it's a lovely area it just seems recently that we've had some spate of crimes."
A post mortem examination was being carried out on Saturday afternoon.
Information can be given by calling police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
