A family dog lost her eye when three men forced their way into a home in Altrincham and held a father at gunpoint.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Jack Golding, his fiancée and their six-month-old son, were at home at around 12.30am on Wednesday (August 25) when three masked men broke into their home.
One man was carrying a gun, one had a machete and a third man carried a ratchet into the flat on Lloyds Gardens.
In the flat, Jack, in an attempt to protect himself and his family, says he struck one of the burglars with a baseball bat before retreating to block the pathway to his partner and child – meanwhile, Cilla, the family dog, was attacked so badly by the gang she eventually lost her eye.
However, despite her injuries, which consisted of deep wounds to her head and direct damage to her eye, Cilla retreated to the bathroom to sit in front of Jack’s baby in an attempt to protect him from the intruders.
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Speaking to the MEN, Jack said: “Last night at 12.30am we were at home on the first floor and we were burgled.
“They came in with a machete, a ratchet and a firearm.
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“I managed to strike one of them with a bat and then they basically chased me down the hallway.
“They cut my dog. She lost her left eye, but she managed to pull through somehow.
“He came towards the baby-gate where me and my fiance and baby had gone and put a gun to my head and said to give him jewellery and cash, I didn’t have anything there.
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“They took a fake Rolex and £30 off the side and then left. It was in and out, around eight minutes – but the amount of significant wounds it left Cilla with [was awful].
“We’ve had to leave the area, we’ve got nowhere to live. We’re still in shock.
“It’s happened before and I was more scared then and was kind of prepared for this. It’s my fiance more, and my baby was traumatised.
“But Cilla, my dog, she’s never been aggressive, just a standard pet, always been a family pet.
“Even when she was cut she came back into the bedroom and sat with the baby to protect him.
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“I don’t know how she survived.”
Anyone with information, including dashcam or CCTV footage from the area, should contact police on 0161 856 7587 or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk quoting incident 80-250821.
Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford
Emily Sergeant
The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.
Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.
But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.
Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.
All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.
With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.
To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:
Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity
Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents
Community – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.
After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.
A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.
The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.
Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.