THE mother of a Banbury man who was murdered in January this year has released a tribute to her son at the conclusion of the murder trial.

Today (Friday, September 6), Janaed Saeed Akhtar was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years for the murder of Neil Comins. 

In the early hours of Wednesday, January 3, Mr Comins, aged 39, was attacked by Akhtar with a baseball bat, suffering extensive serious injuries.

Mr Comins died in hospital the following day on Thursday, January 4 after undergoing surgery for a head injury.

Akhtar had attacked Mr Comins, hitting him in the head with a baseball bat and stabbing him to the right side of his neck, before calling 999 himself for emergency services.

After killing Mr Comins, Akhtar attempted to implicate two innocent people, who were co-residents at the property in which Akhtar lived.

READ MORE: Banbury murderer who killed man with baseball bat jailed

Akhtar, formerly of Cope Road in Banbury, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict on Tuesday, July 16 of one count of murder and one count of perverting the course of justice

At the conclusion of the murder trial today Mr Comins' mum paid a heartfelt tribute to her son. 

“Despite having problems in the past, things were improving for Neil, his health was getting better and he had what we all thought was a safe place to live," she said. 

“It was just nine days before his 40th birthday that Neil was taken from us.

“Janaed Akhtar brutally attacked Neil at their multi-occupancy accommodation.

“Akhtar hit Neil about the head with a metal baseball bat, causing him fatal brain damage.

“Not only did he take Neil’s life, but he was callous enough to accuse two men, who had no involvement whatsoever.

Mr Comins was attacked on Cope Road, Banbury (Image: Google)

"My thoughts go out to both of them.

“Neil may have been a grown man, over six feet tall, but he was, and always will be, my little boy.

“He was a much-loved son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin. He was known and fondly thought of by many. He will truly forever be remembered and missed."

She also thanked the police officers and paramedics who attempted to save Neil's life. 

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“I would like to thank the first on scene, the police officers for going above and beyond their duties in trying to save Neil’s life, and all the other officers that attended," she said. 

“I’d also like to thank the paramedics for acting promptly and professionally.

“Also to the Thames Valley Police team, led by DCI Mike Roddy and DS Dave Percival for all their hard work in finding and proving the truth, and to DC Carly Milward and Specialist Investigator Jacqui Bartlett for all their help and support throughout this ordeal.

“Thank you is not enough, but it’s all I have.

“Thank you all.”