As a result of a joint operation between GMP and Merseyside Police, a 35-year-old man was arrested last night (Saturday 2 June 2018) on suspicion of the murders of Paul Massey and John Kinsella.

He remains in custody for questioning and the families of Paul Massey and John Kinsella have been informed of the arrest.

Paul Massey, 55, was shot dead at his home address on Manchester Road in Clifton on Sunday 26 July 2015.

Witnesses have described the offender as coming from the direction of the Clifton Community Centre and heading towards Paul’s house. He fired a series of shots before walking back to the centre’s car park and then in the direction of the side alley between the car park and St Anne’s Church.

A Home Office post-mortem concluded that Mr Massey died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

John Kinsella, 53, died after being shot whilst walking his dog with his partner on a footpath, near to the St Helens Linkway and the M62 motorway in Rainhill, Merseyside, at 7am on Saturday 5 May 2018.

The offender, who was on a pedal bike, also fired the gun at John’s partner as she ran away from the scene. A Home Office post-mortem concluded that John died as a result of multiple gunshot woundsDetective Chief Inspector Carl Jones, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said:

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“This has been a busy week of operational activity and last night we made a further arrest in connection with the murders of Paul Massey and John Kinsella.

“That man remains in custody for questioning and both victims’ families have been informed.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Baker, of Merseyside Police’s Investigations team, said: “Detectives from both Merseyside Police and GMP have been carrying out extensive inquiries since the murder of John Kinsella and Paul Massey.

“This has allowed us to establish a number of positive leads and the further arrest of a person last night.

“We will continue working together with our colleagues in GMP to seek out the truth in order to bring closure to both victims’ families.”

 

The 49-year-old man arrested in Rochdale on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the Paul Massey murder investigation and the 35-year-old woman arrested in Salford on suspicion of perverting the course of justice have been released under investigation.

The following remain in custody for questioning:

1.        37-year-old man arrested at Manchester Airport on Wednesday (30 May 2018) on suspicion of murder of Paul Massey and murder of John Kinsella.

2.        39-year-old woman also arrested at the airport on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting an offender in relation to the John Kinsella murder

3.        48-year-old man was arrested in Salford on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in relation to the Paul Massey murder investigation.

4.        30-year-old woman arrested in Salford yesterday (Thursday) on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the Paul Massey murder investigation.

5.        40-year-old man from St Helens arrested by Merseyside Police on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to John Kinsella (press release issued by Merseyside Police today, Friday 1 June 2018).

Just after 9 pm police were made aware of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian close to St Johns Church on Bolton Road in Pendlebury, it appears at the moment to be a hit and run.

A manhunt involving the force helicopter and ground units is now underway to try and find the driver who is said to have abandoned the vehicle and made off on foot.

The vehicle involved is being reported on social media as a BMW, which was found abandoned shortly afterwards on Park Lane, Irlam o th heights. The windscreen of the vehicle is being reported as badly damaged.

It has been reported that one person has been taken to hospital by ambulance but at this point, their condition is currently unclear.

Bolton Road remains closed off just after the roundabout following the incident.

If you were a witness or have any information which could help police then please contact them via 101.

By having solar panels installed, the schools involved in the project - Broadoak Primary School, Bridgewater Primary School, Light Oaks Infant & Junior Schools and Peel Hall Primary School - can expect to save money on their energy bills, and receive support to use the panels as an educational resource.

Karen Wild, Head Teacher at Broadoak Primary School said:

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“The children and staff at Broadoak Primary School are really excited to be working with GMCR to bring solar panels to our school this summer.

“We are an Eco School so this is a fantastic next step on our journey to reduce our impact on the environment and to help our children learn more about how we can all help to reduce climate change”.

 

The installations will be funded from the community share issue, where members of the public can invest in shares in GMCR to own a stake in the project.  People who buy shares will become members of GMCR, receive interest on their shares and vote to give profits made to a Community Fund to spend on further community energy and environmental education projects locally.

Sandra Dutson, a member of GMCR said:

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“I invested in GMCR because it’s an ethical investment that helps schools save money on their bills and reduces carbon emissions.  It also puts power into the hands of the community instead of big multi-national companies.”

Ali Abbas, Director of GMCR said:

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“In 2016 we installed solar panels on the roofs of three schools in Salford with the support of people like you.  

“We’re really excited to be offering four more schools the chance to be powered by clean energy, but we need your help to make it happen.

“With a minimum investment of £100 you can help these schools, your community and the environment, and earn up to 4% interest on your shares.”

 

GMCR currently has solar installations on the roofs of Primrose Hill Primary School, Irlam Primary School, and Fiddlers Lane Primary, as well as a community centre in Partington.  So far these sites have saved a total of £3,000 on their bills and generated enough clean energy to make 6 million cups of tea.

GMCR’s share offer is open until 30 June 2018.  Those interested in investing should read the Share Offer fully and take appropriate financial advice.

Greater Manchester Police’s Special Constabulary and Volunteer Police Cadets have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK.  

The award coincides with National Volunteers’ Week and sees the Greater Manchester people who volunteer their time to help support policing, engage with communities and keep people safe given the award, the status of which is equivalent to an MBE.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) was established in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and is given for outstanding achievement by groups of volunteers who regularly devote their time to helping others in the community, improving the quality of life and opportunity for others and providing an outstanding service.

GMP’s Specials and Cadets schemes see over 800 people (439 Specials and 384 cadets) volunteer thousands of hours each week across the city region. Specials carry out a range of duties such as patrols in town centres or residential areas as part of neighbourhood policing, assisting with local police initiatives and taking part in community partnership projects. Cadets support the Force by assisting vulnerable residents, supporting local policing teams at events such as The Manchester Marathon and fundraising for charities.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said:

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“All our volunteers are an invaluable and essential part of the Force. Our Special Constables and Volunteer Police Cadets are thoroughly deserving of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and time that they dedicate to making Greater Manchester a happier and safer place to live.

“We all have a part to play in keeping our communities safe and it’s great to see members of the public so enthusiastic about doing so. I am tremendously proud of their contribution and would like to thank all of our volunteers who give up their spare time to support the Force.”

 

A motorcyclist has been seriously injured after a collision with a Seat Ibiza car in Salford.

At around 11.45pm on Friday night, emergency services were called to Barton lane in Eccles following reports of a crash involving a motorbike and Seat Ibiza.

The motorcyclist was taken to Salford Royal Hospital and is said to be suffering from serious injuries

Barton Lane was closed to traffic for several hours but has been reopened this morning.

If anyone witnessed the collision or has any information please contact GMP via 101.

Update: The 33-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder investigation launched in Salford on Saturday has been bailed pending further enquiries.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.

Shortly after 4:10 am this morning, Saturday 2 June 2018, police were called to Winster Avenue, Lower Kersal to reports that a man had been stabbed.

Officers attended and a man believed to be in his late 20s was taken to hospital, where he sadly died a short time later.

Enquiries to trace the offender are being carried out this morning by GMP’s Major Incident Team.

Detective Inspector Andy Butterworth from GMP’s Major Incident Team said:

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“Firstly I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family of this man at this tragic time. We are working to provide them with support from specially trained family liaison officers as they come to terms with what has happened.

“We have been carrying out numerous lines of enquiry since the incident happened this morning so local residents may have noticed an increased police presence in the area. This is likely to continue throughout the day and I would urge anyone with concerns or information about what happened to approach one of the officers on patrol.

“We are treating this as a live murder investigation and any information that members of the public hold could prove crucial so if you think that you can help, then please contact us.”

 

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 2491 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Mark Fellows (05/09/1980) has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He has been remanded to appear before South Sefton Magistrates Court tomorrow, Saturday 2 June 2018.

Paul Massey, 55, was shot dead at his home address on Manchester Road in Clifton on Sunday 26 July 2015.

A murder investigation was subsequently launched and enquiries have been carried out by Greater Manchester Police.

John Kinsella, 53, died after being shot whilst walking his dog with his partner on a footpath, near to the St Helens Linkway and the M62 motorway in Rainhill, Merseyside, at 7am on Saturday 5 May 2018. 

The offender, who was on a pedal bike, also fired the gun at John’s partner as she ran away from the scene.

This incident is being investigated by Merseyside Police.

Five other people arrested this week have been released under investigation. They include:

1. A 39-year-old woman arrested at Manchester airport on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting an offender in relation to the John Kinsella murder.

2. A 48-year-old man arrested in Salford on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in relation to the Paul Massey murder investigation.

3. A 30-year-old woman arrested in Salford yesterday (Thursday) on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the Paul Massey murder investigation.

4. 49-year-old man arrested in Rochdale on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the Paul Massey murder investigation.

5. 35-year-old woman arrested in Salford on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

At 9.50pm yesterday evening, Thursday 31 May, police were called to Europa Way, Trafford Park to reports that a car had collided with a number of pedestrians. 

Emergency services remain at the scene and five people who have been injured in the collision have been taken to hospital. Another person has also presented themselves at hospital but their injuries are not thought to be serious.

The car failed to stop at the scene. A blue BMW 330D – believed to be involved in the collision – has now been located in the Salford area. 

In the early hours of this morning, a 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop after a collision. He remains in police custody.

There is no evidence to suggest that this is terrorism-related at this stage. 

GMP’s Chief Superintendent Jo Rogerson, said:

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“We now have a man in custody and we will be questioning him under caution as part of our investigation. 

“This is an extremely serious incident that we are dealing with and I cannot stress the importance of people contacting us if they know something.

“Any information, no matter how insignificant people think it may be, could be the piece that we need so please, call us.” 

 

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 2409 of 31/05/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Earlier today, Thursday 31 May 2018, police arrested a 49-year-old man in Rochdale and a 30-year-old woman in Salford on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. 

Another woman, aged 35, was also arrested in Salford on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. 

They remain in custody for questioning and Mr Massey’s family has been informed of the arrests. 

These arrests follow yesterday’s action taken during a joint operation between GMP and Merseyside Police where three people were arrested in connection with the Paul Massey and John Kinsella murders. 

They too remain in custody for questioning. 

Paul Massey, 55, was shot dead at his home address on Manchester Road in Clifton on Sunday 26 July 2015. 

Witnesses have described the offender as coming from the direction of the Clifton Community Centre and heading towards Paul’s house. He fired a series of shots before walking back to the centre’s car park and then in the direction of the side alley between the car park and St Anne’s Church. 

A Home Office post-mortem concluded that Mr Massey died from a gunshot wound to the chest. 

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Jones, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said:

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“Following on from yesterday’s arrests we have three more people in custody who will be questioned by detectives in relation to Paul Massey’s murder. 

“This means we now have six people in custody and our enquiries are continuing at this time.”

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency and a keen cyclist, will be visiting six sites across Salford to see how the city’s ‘green revolution’ is tackling climate change and benefiting local people.

The sites she will see are just some of the ‘green developments’ in the booming city, including the £3.2 million Carbon Landscape project which is restoring wetlands, improving access and reconnecting communities with their landscape across Salford, Wigan and Warrington.

She will also tour the £44 million site of the fifth national RHS garden, RHS Garden Bridgewater and will officially re-open the newly refurbished Ellenbrook loop line, part of a 28-kilometre network of green, traffic-free walking, cycling and commuter routes being enhanced across the city. 

Earlier in the year, alongside City Mayor Paul Dennett, Emma opened a £10 million flood scheme, jointly completed by the council and the Environment Agency, which will protect almost 2,000 homes and businesses, hold more than 250 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water during a flood and includes more than 5 hectares of urban wetland habitat.

£52 million green investment showcase

Calculation based on:

£44m Bridgewater
£5m loop lines
£3.2m mosslands
£0.2 suds – about £52.4 million

Councillor Derek Antrobus, lead member for planning and sustainable development, said:

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“We have an incredible amount of green investment currently taking place in Salford and we’re delighted to welcome Emma here for a day to see some of our wide range of projects. A key one was the £10 million second flood basin and wetland which the council and Environment Agency jointly completed.

“Emma is a keen cyclist who once cycled from Land’s End to John O Groats so we will be showing her projects which open up new cycle routes for local people as well as ones which tie in with her ‘day job’ – that of managing flooding and climate change.”

 

Emma Howard Boyd, said:

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“Climate change is one of the biggest global threats we face. Our thinking in tackling it has to change faster than the climate so it’s great to see, first-hand, Salford’s work in making the city greener, more resilient and ‘climate ready’. The Environment Agency continues to work hard across the North West – earlier in the year we opened the Salford flood scheme – so it’s been inspiring to see yet more partnership-led projects which will benefit both people and the environment.”

Emma will start her visit at Little Woolden Moss in Irlam,– a former peat extraction site now being restored to lowland raised bog habitat by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Salford’s mosslands are part of a five-year restoration project, which extends into Wigan and Warrington, and will open up the countryside for local communities to enjoy.

Anna Hetterley, Carbon Landscape Programme Manager, said: “The Carbon Landscape is changing the way in which we approach landscapes and communities in Salford, Wigan, and Warrington. Twenty-two interlinked projects will provide a forward-thinking and effective programme that will have lasting benefits for local communities and wildlife. The Carbon Landscape will enhance and connect up the restoration of this landscape, altered by industry, creating and improving nationally significant habitats and reconnecting local people with the heritage and wealth of opportunities for enjoyment and learning on their doorstep.”

After that, she will re-open the Ellenbrook loop line, near Boothstown. It’s the latest section of Salford’s 28 kilometres, award-winning, traffic-free cycling and walking network to be improved, which includes the Port Salford Greenway and the Bridgewater Canal. Over £5.5 million has been invested in it and Ms Boyd will also hear about further plans for improving and extending the network for both commuting and recreational use.

City Mayor Paul Dennett and Marcus Chilton-Jones the curator of the new garden, will then show her around the former site of Worsley New Hall, where RHS Garden Bridgewater will become the society’s fifth national garden.

The garden will include measures to mitigate climate change and drain heavy rainfall and the whole site will have a key role in both formal and informal environmental awareness education.

The day visit will end in central Salford which is undergoing extensive regeneration to look at demonstration schemes to show how developers can green the city and cope with bad weather.

One of the projects, in East Ordsall Lane, recreates the way undeveloped land would naturally drain. Sustainable urban drainage schemes (SuDS) capture heavy rainfall and allow it to soak into the ground, filtering out pollution and watering the trees rather than going straight into and possibly overwhelming the drains in the area.   

Earlier today, Wednesday 30 May 2018, dawn raids were executed at addresses in the Heywood, Rochdale and Salford areas of Greater Manchester as well as in Cheshire in connection with both murders. 

One man, aged 37, was arrested at Manchester Airport this morning on suspicion of the murder of Paul Massey and the murder of John Kinsella. A 39-year old woman was also arrested at the airport on suspicion of assisting an offender in relation to the John Kinsella murder. 

A 48-year-old man was arrested in Salford on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in relation to the Paul Massey murder investigation. 

All three remain in custody for questioning. The families of Paul Massey and John Kinsella have each been informed of the arrests. 

Paul Massey, 55, was shot dead at his home address on Manchester Road in Clifton on Sunday 26 July 2015.   

Witnesses have described the offender as coming from the direction of the Clifton Community Centre and heading towards Paul’s house. He fired a series of shots before walking back to the centre’s car park and then in the direction of the side alley between the car park and St Anne’s Church. 

A Home Office post-mortem concluded that Paul died from a gunshot wound to the chest. 

John Kinsella, 53, died after being shot whilst walking his dog with his partner on a footpath, near to the St Helens Linkway and the M62 motorway in Rainhill, Merseyside, at 7am on Saturday 5 May 2018. 

The offender, who was on a pedal bike, also fired the gun at John’s partner as she ran away from the scene. A Home Office post-mortem concluded that John died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. 

Today’s arrests are the first made in connection with each of the murders and follow extensive inquiries by detectives from both GMP and Merseyside Police. 

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Jones, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said:

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“Today’s arrests have come as a result of a joint operation between Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police. 

“We currently have two people in custody arrested in connection with the murder of Paul Massey and they will be questioned by GMP detectives.   

“These are the first arrests that have been made in connection with Paul’s death and the investigation remains focused on establishing the truth and bringing answers to his family. 

“Although the murders of Paul Massey and John Kinsella remain separate investigations by individual police forces, we will continue to liaise with colleagues from Merseyside Police as further enquiries are carried out.” 

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Baker, of Merseyside Police’s Investigations team, said:

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“Detectives from Merseyside have been carrying out extensive inquiries since the murder of John Kinsella just three weeks ago and have established a number of positive leads. 

“We have been working together with both GMP and Cheshire Police and as a result of our inquiries were able to carry out this joint operation today.” 

At around 5.15pm on Sunday 1 April 2018 a 52-year-old man was stood outside the Duke of York pub on Church street with a couple of friends.

Two men – who claimed to have arrived from Poland a few days earlier - approached the group and one of the men hugged the victim.

While hugging him he then bit off a piece of his ear.

The victim went to hospital but unfortunately, surgeons were unable to reattach the piece of ear.

Detective Constable Cathy Blain, from GMP’s Swinton CID, said:

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“This was a completely unprovoked attack on the victim who was out enjoying a drink with his family and friends.

“It has left him with life-changing injuries, and physically unwell, due to the stress and anxiety it has caused him.

“Someone must know the man pictured. He has distinctive features and is believed to be based in Eccles town centre.

“I am asking anyone who knows who this male is to contact us. “

 

Information can be passed on to officers by calling 0161 856 5237 quoting incident number 1657 01/04/18.

Details can also be passed on anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In a study carried out by the NHS local clinical commissioning group, it was revealed that Salford is top of the table for the number of alcoholics being prescribed for alcohol-related issues. 

The figures show that for every 100,000 residents, prescriptions for alcohol-related issues are given by local doctors, which makes Salford the top of the table with the unenviable title of booze capital of England.

In contrast, Horsham in Mid Sussex takes the crown for the lowest rate of alcohol-related prescriptions with a paultry 24 handed out for every 100,000 people, a staggering 58 times less than our City.

The study also exposes a clear dividing line between North and South with the capital issuing just 189 prescriptions (seven times less than Salford), the South just 238 and the Midlands handing out 251.

The rest of the North didn't fare too much better as neighbouring Manchester chalked up 962 cases being beaten into fourth place by North Cumbria and Norwich.

Salford: 1,403

North Cumbria: 1,120

Norwich: 1,111

Manchester: 962

Rotherham: 931

Sheffield: 900

North Tyneside: 877 

Trafford: 834

Blackpool: 813 

The cost of these prescriptions in 2017 has been revealed to be in excess of  £4.42 million in England with approximately £173,000 prescriptions dispensed.

A massive increase on a decade ago when the cost was almost £2 million less.

The figures also show the impact that alcohol consumption is having on the already overstretched NHS with 5,507 deaths in 2016 and a staggering 337,000 admissions to hospital caused by drinking.

Earlier in May, it was revealed that Salford had the highest rate of hospital admissions for alcoholism in England, with 7,330 admissions in 2016/17.

So what is fueling such high numbers? Well according to Professor Colin Drummond, an expert in addiction psychiatry at King's College in London, the issue is with deprivation experienced by the North. He has called for more government spending on treating alcoholism.

He said:

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“Alcohol problems are associated with deprivation, which we know to be worse in the North than in the South.

“Until treatment becomes a priority for governments, the gap is not going to get any narrower.”

 

Salford City Council has responded by praising local substance misuse services which it says were rated “outstanding” following the latest inspection.

Greater Manchester Mayor, Salford City Council, Salford CCG and the Big Lottery Fund last week united in backing ‘Reach Out; Start to End Suicide’ campaign to fight lives being lost to suicide as it was launched at Salford Civic Centre.

START’s, a charity using art and creative activities to help people recover from mental ill health, ‘Reach Out ; Start to End Suicide’ campaign aims to raise awareness of suicide and the important role communities can play in helping to prevent it.

The year-long campaign launched with a community art installation at Salford Civic Centre which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund. ‘Sea of Hands of Support’ is made up of pledges from members of the community, each written on hand cut-outs that together form the outdoor installation. It will be a powerful representation of the support that is out there and will offer messages of encouragement and hope to those who are in need.

The launch saw Salford City Councillors uniting in making pledges from the council chamber to ‘Sea of Hands of Support’. The Council then observed a minutes silence as a mark of respect to all those who have lost their lives to suicide as part of the launch and Mental Health Awareness Week on Wednesday 16th May.

Tragically one person dies every 90 minutes as a result of suicide in the UK[1] and it is estimated that each death directly affects at least 10 people; and potentially impacts as many as 120 others. In the last five years, 109 people were lost to suicide in Salford[2], and the wider impact of this is felt across the community.

Bernadette Conlon, Chief Executive and founder of START, said:

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“Suicide affects so many people and the real tragedy is that most of these deaths were preventable. Evidence tells us that stigmatising attitudes result in people being less likely to get help or to give it. That is why START is asking the whole community to get behind us and reach out so that we can start to end suicide. This small action can, and will save lives.”

Dennis Baldwin, Campaign Lead at START and a survivor of multiple suicide attempts said:

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“Suffering from anxiety and depression had me believing I was worthless and didn't warrant saving. I was in an extremely dark place, and found myself helpless and alone. I felt that my only option to stop it all was to kill myself.”

“I was lucky; I survived and have now moved on from surviving my mental illness to being able to live with it. This came through rebuilding a support structure around myself. That is what ‘Sea of Hands of Support’ is all about; a mass display of support from the community around us for those who are in need of it. I know that I would have cherished it when I felt so isolated and alone.”

 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

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“Sea of Hands of Support will deliver a powerful and important message to people at risk of suicide, that they can seek support from families, friends, colleagues and organisations doing valuable work to help vulnerable people. I have witnessed first-hand the vital work START delivers on a daily basis, and it is so important we challenge the ongoing stigma surrounding mental health.

“The Greater Manchester Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy focuses in part on child and adult mental health, shifting the focus of care to prevention and early intervention and delivering a sustainable mental health system in Greater Manchester.”

 

Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor said:

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“Salford City Council is absolutely committed to raising awareness of suicide and providing effective interventions with our partners to prevent loss of life. We used our full council meeting to tackle stigma and promote that it is ok and right to talk about out mental wellbeing. Support is out there for people who need it and they should not be embarrassed or afraid to ask for it.”

James Harcourt, England Grant-Making Director at the Big Lottery Fund, said:

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“This art installation is a great example of the vital support that communities can offer when it is needed most. We’re proud to be backing a project that has used personal experience to bring people together and make a difference to the lives of others.”

Judd Skelton, Salford CCG & Chair Salford Suicide Prevention Partnership said:

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“The Salford Suicide Prevention Partnership is happy to be working alongside START’s Suicide Prevention campaign work. Thoughts of suicide are very distressing for those experiencing them and for friends and family. Awareness raising by START will help to begin much needed conversations around suicide prevention in local communities. The aim of the Salford Suicide Prevention Partnership is for Salford to be a city where people do not consider suicide as the only option they face. START’s work is helping to raise awareness of the support available and to share messages of hope and support”  

To keep up to date and join ‘Reach Out; Start to End Suicide’ visit: www.startinspiringminds.org.uk/reachout and follow us on social media @reachoustes

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, Salford City Council said:

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“Justice has been served on the three people who carried out this unspeakable crime and they have been given lengthy prison sentences. 

"No punishment, however, can ever diminish the horror of their appalling actions, those minutes of madness in which an evil attack was planned and carried out with deadly consequences. No words can ever fully express Salford’s shock and anguish at the loss of those innocent lives and the harm done to the Pearson family. The hearts of everyone in Salford go out to the family and the community now and for the future. 

“Immediately after the fire the community rallied round the family and the council, police, Victim Support and the fire service supported them and the family as they paid tribute to Michelle and the children. We will continue that support as we begin the lengthy process of trying to recover from this dreadful act. Salford people are strong and the community will come back from this but it will take time to heal. 

“There is already talk in the local community of a lasting memorial to the children; if that is something the family wish to explore we will work with them to make that happen but we will be guided by them and their wishes. 

“We are aware of issues raised both before and during the trial about how all the various agencies, including the council, interacted with the Pearson family. Salford Children’s Safeguarding Board has begun a serious case review which will look at all interactions with the family. Salford City Council will co-operate fully with that investigation. There are also further investigations by the coroner’s court and the Independent Police Complaints Commission and until all those investigations are concluded and the findings published, we cannot comment further.” 

1

Two men – who claimed to have arrived from Poland a few days earlier - approached the group and one of the men hugged the victim.

While hugging him he then bit off a piece of his ear.

The victim went to the hospital but unfortunately, surgeons were unable to reattach the piece of ear.

The offender is described as white, in his early 30s, with a shaven or bald head and with a suspected broken nose.

He was wearing a white t-shirt, light grey coloured jogging bottoms and hoody.

He spoke with a foreign accent and had a large Viking tattoo on his left forearm. He also had other tattoos on his chest and numerous scars on his stomach.

He was with a male in an orange hi-visibility jacket.

Detective Constable Cathy Blain, from GMP’s Swinton CID, said:

Quote

 

“This was a completely unprovoked attack on the victim who was out enjoying a drink with his family and friends.

“It has left him with life-changing injuries, and physically unwell, due to the stress and anxiety it has caused him.

“Someone must know this offender. He has distinctive features and is believed to be based in Eccles town centre.

“I am asking anyone who knows who this male is to contact us. “

 

Information can be passed on to officers by calling 0161 856 5237 quoting incident number 1657 01/04/18.

Details can also be passed on anonymously by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A tribute to Christopher Wood from his family: 

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"A kind and intelligent man with a beautiful soul and a wicked sense of humour. Chris always had time to help others going through their own struggles. Chris loved his family, his friends, his Rock and Metal Music and riding his Motorbike. So many people hold him dearly in their hearts and he was well loved in the Manchester Rock Scene. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. " 

Shortly after 10.15am on Friday 18 May 2018, police were called to reports of a collision involving a car and a motorbike at junction 12 of the M60. 

A white VW Caddy van was travelling in lane four- anti-clockwise on the M60- as it approached the junction for the M602 and M62. 

The van almost came to a complete stop as it moved across the carriageway and left the motorway. 

A few moments later, the VN Custom bike, which was a few cars behind the van, was involved in a collision with a red Jaguar. 

The motorcyclist Christopher Wood 57, sadly died as a result of his injuries. 

Four other cars, including a white Audi Estate, a panel van with ladders attached, a red Golf and any other cars between the van and the bike in lane four. 

Police are appealing for the drivers who were behind the white van, or were on the M60 immediately before the collision, to come forward. 

Sergeant Darren Hancock of GMP’s Serious Collision and Investigation Unit, said:

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“A man has lost his life in this collision and it’s absolutely vital that we understand how this happened. 

“We have spoken with the driver of the white van and the red Jaguar, but it’s really important that we speak to the other cars who were behind the van, to help with our enquiries. 

“I’d stress that these drivers are not at fault, we just need their help to piece together how the collision unfolded, and ultimately, how Christopher lost his life. 

“If you were on that part of the M60 at the time of the incident or shortly before and haven’t yet come forward, please pick up the phone and tell us what you saw. 

“Any dash cam footage can also be sent to XDept.SCIU@gmp.police.uk or you can talk to our collision investigation team on 0161 856 4741.” 

Any report can also be made anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 
 

Close friend and executor of Tony’s will, Dave Tucker plus Salford’s City Mayor, close friends and some well-known faces will unveil the plaque at the Gatehouse at Victoria Park in Swinton, where Tony lived most of his adult life. Tony lived on Park Avenue, adjacent to the park, for many years.

The plaque has been designed and erected as part of an exhibition celebrating Tony’s early life and career at nearby Salford Museum and Art Gallery which is running until 3^rd July 2018. The exhibition Four Miles from Manchester; Tony Warren’s Coronation Street showcases aspects of Tony’s life, documenting him growing up in Pendlebury and Swinton in Salford, where he absorbed the streets, people and sounds surrounding him, eventually leading him into a career in script writing.

David Tucker of Tony Warren’s estate, said:

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“Tony was a fantastic man who genuinely had an interest in anyone that he encountered. His knack for putting everyday drama down on paper and bringing it to life on our TV screens was second-to-none.

In choosing a site for a plaque for Tony Warren, his closest friends immediately thought of Victoria Park. The neighbouring street, Park Avenue, was where Tony lived for over thirty years, before his death in 2016. In a life that was often as chaotic as it was creative, Park Avenue was the place where Tony settled the longest and found the happiness and serenity that he had been searching for all his life. It was also where he wrote his novels, which provided a new professional identity for Tony, after decades of being known solely for creating Coronation Street. 

Victoria Park was where he walked his beloved dogs and kept in touch with the people of Salford, who continued to inspire his work. Tony would be delighted to know there was a heritage plaque in Victoria Park in his name.”

 

 

Joe Barnwell from Salford CSIN and Unit 10, an organisation that works with veterans and the wider community, which is based at The Gatehouse, said:

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“Victoria Park is a great choice of location for Tony’s commemorative plaque. Coronation Street is about everyday people, that is what Tony was about and that is what we do through our organisation, we help veterans and provide a pathway back into their local community.”

Four Miles from Manchester; Tony Warren’s Coronation Street runs until Tuesday 3 July 2018 at Salford Museum & Art Gallery, The Crescent, Salford.