Woman is charged over road death of girl, 11

A woman has been charged over the death of an 11-year-old girl killed in a road collision outside her school.

Marianne Haboc was pronounced dead at the scene in Taylor Street, Rochdale, on the afternoon of October 1.

Greater Manchester Police said Sobia Aftar, 33, of Taylor Street, Rochdale, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Aftar was due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Following her death, Marianne’s parents paid tribute to the keen gymnast who was a pupil at St Patrick’s RC Primary School.

They said: “Marianne, our beautiful daughter, was a natural-born leader that could motivate friends to unite and do the same together regardless of age, race or belief.

“It was her own goal to be a top pupil of the year before leaving primary school. To achieve this, she had a little plan by coming to school early so she could meet more young pupils to play with and to improve her pro-activeness and relationship to them and her teacher.”

A fundraising page was set up in memory of the youngster by Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club.