Two men have been sentenced to 12 years in prison after a violent robbery in Cheetham Hill, where they made off with £45,000-worth of vapes.
The court heard how the pair had assaulted the driver of a Mercedes Sprint Van with a crowbar, before stealing it and moving the boxes inside into their own car.
Police tracked them down a mere minute’s drive away from the scene of the incident, thanks to the van’s built-in tracker.
Karwan Salar of West Drayton, London and Ribar Karim of Douglas Towers in Bradford were found guilty of robbery and possessing an offensive weapon and jailed for 12 years at Manchester Crown Court.
The incident in question occurred on Waterloo Road in Cheetham Hill on Wednesday 11 January this year.
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Salar, 31, and Karim, 35, had been the driver and passenger of an Audi A5.
They managed to bring the victim’s van to a sudden halt, then Salar exited the vehicle and began to threaten the victim for the keys to the van.
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The victim was then dragged out and assaulted with a large crowbar – the injuries he sustained to his arm required hospital treatment.
Ribar Karim and Karwan Salar have been jailed for the robbery of vapes in Cheetham Hill. Credit: GMP
He still bravely tried to stop the theft, tackling his assailant, but was eventually overpowered.
Police managed to track down Salar and Karim on Allison Street, where they discovered the van door wide open and the boxes of vapes being moved into the boot of the Audi.
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Detective Constable Elson, from CID on the North Manchester District, said: “We welcome yesterday’s result, which has seen two violent and dangerous men removed from the streets of Greater Manchester for a considerable amount of time.
“We would like to thank the victim, who, not only bravely tried to defend his property from these thieves but has had the strength to support this prosecution to a satisfactory ending.
“As a Force, Greater Manchester Police are committed to identifying, locating and prosecuting anyone who breaks the law, so this court case and result should serve as a deterrent to anyone who may be thinking of entering a life of crime.
“If you or anyone you know has any information in relation to a crime being planned or undertaken, you can contact GMP via 101 or through the Live Chat function on our website www.gmp.police.uk.
“Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”
Featured image: Unsplash
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You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
How can you go wrong with these incredible options at Manchester Christmas Markets?You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
20th July 2023 
