Family suffer double tragedy
TWO men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man who died following an incident outside a pub.
Daniel Hogan, who is originally from Rochdale and described by his family as the ‘BFG’, was discovered after police responded to reports a man had collapsed with head injuries in Uppermill, Saddleworth, shortly after 11.30pm on Friday December 21.
Daniel’s death is the second tragedy to hit the family after his step-father recently passed away.
Daniel Forster and Michael Milligan Nield, both 24, appeared for a brief hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Christmas Eve.
No pleas were entered. The case was transferred to Manchester Crown Court.
Mr Forster and Mr Milligan Neild appeared in the dock wearing grey jumpers and grey trousers before being led away by officers having being remanded in custody.
No details of the case were read out by prosecutors. Mr Forster, of Ashfield Crescent, Springhead, Oldham, and Mr Milligan Nield, of Society Street, Shaw, Oldham, will appear before a judge in the New Year.
Police were called to an incident outside the village pub on Friday night.
Mr Hogan was given first aid before being rushed to hospital, but later died.
Speaking after the incident, Daniel’s aunt, Carol Strand, said: “Daniel was one of the most thoughtful and lovable people you could ever meet. He was known locally by many as the ‘BFG’ and would do anything for his friends and family. Following the tragic occurrence last night my family and I have had so many messages from dozens of his friends, all of those whose lives he touched. His mum and his dad and two siblings are so absolutely devastated as you can imagine.”
Carol has now set up a crowdfunding page to help raise extra funds as Daniel’s mother now has two funerals to organise and pay for. The page has already raised more than £4,400. She wrote that Daniel, 34, had been on a night out the day the tragedy happened.
Carol added: “As if this isn’t tragic enough his mum has Jillian has just lost her husband [and was due to bury him on the December 27] and now has a second funeral to organise and pay for.
“I know it’s so close to Christmas and people don’t have lots of money spare but he was so lovely and highly thought of by so many people as demonstrated by the lovely comments on Facebook.
“His family would appreciate any support you could offer. Any amount will help as he deserves a decent funeral.”
To donate visit www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carol-strand.