A Polish man who died after being found with stab wounds outside a Bradford house had just become a grandfather for the first time, it has emerged.

Roman Copija, 50, had lived in Bradford for about four years, it is believed, and had worked in meat factories and then as a builder. Today, his boss paid tribute to him as “a hard grafter” and spoke of a man who cared deeply about his family back in Poland.

Builder Daniel Slek said Mr Copija had been saving his earnings to pay for a ticket for his daughter and new grandchild to visit him in England in just a couple of weeks’ time.

“But it was never going to happen,” said Mr Slek, who said he and his workers had been stunned to hear of Mr Copija’s death in Thornbury Avenue, Bradford Moor , on Saturday.

Police were called to the scene just before 10pm by paramedics after Mr Copija was found with stab wounds.

Tina Bell, 44, and Jacek Adamczewski, 42, both of Wetton Court , Laisterdyke , are due to appear before Bradford Crown Court today charged with his murder, having made a first appearance at court earlier this week.

Mr Copija is believed to have lived in Bradford for about four years, working in meat factories before going to work for Mr Slek in and around the city digging footings and building foundations.

“He was a good worker for me,” Mr Slek said. “He was a helpful man, he would give anyone a hand and not ask for anything in return.

“He was always telling stories and jokes, making us laugh. He had a good heart.”

Mr Copija, whose family live in the Nysa area of Poland, lived in a shared house off Leeds Old Road with Slovakians and Czechs among his housemates.

“Roman’s daughter had just had a baby and he was so excited about it,” said Mr Slek.

“He was telling us all his news. He was buying a ticket for her and the baby to come and see him. He couldn’t wait. He was proud of his family, his son worked with us for a while but then went back to Poland.

“We are all very sad about what’s happened. I have been talking to the police to help them with anything they need to know.

“Everyone is shocked – we never thought anything like this would happen. He was such a great person.

“The police have said his family back in Poland have been told but it could be at least three or four weeks before his funeral can be arranged - I’m not sure what the plans will be for that.”

Malik Farouq, who lives next to the granny flat property where Mr Copija was found outside, said his family had watched the aftermath of Saturday’s incident unfold.

“They heard a noise and were watching people trying to bring the man back to life,” he said.

And he added: “I know his friend who was with him when it all happened, he’d been sat with him round the table just before it happened. He said the man was a good man.”