Four teenagers have been collectively sentenced to more than 70 years for the murder of another teenager in Withington last year.
Kyle Hackland, who was just 17 at the time, was brutally stabbed in broad daylight in Withington at around midday back on Tuesday 22 November 2022, and went on to sadly pass away in hospital as a result of his injuries – which were described as “catastrophic”.
He was described as “kind and well-mannered young boy who never failed to say “love you” as he walked out the door” in a tribute paid by his loving family at the time.
Detective Superintendent Neil Jones, of GMP South Manchester Division, said at the time that the force understood the incident would “cause distress and concern to the community and across Manchester”, but assured the public it was an isolated incident and there was no wider threat.
Several men were subsequently charged in connection with the incident nearly two weeks later on 7 December, and were remanded in custody while awaiting trial.
And now, after the trial at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court has finally concluded yesterday (Tuesday 3 October), and accumulative sentences of more than 70 years were handed out, all four men have been publicly named.
They have been named as Yousef Sesay (24/11/2004), Lewis Ludford (05/12/2004), Tafari Kosey-Smith (26/06/2006), and Alfie Benson (30/03/2006).
#JAILED | Four teenagers have today been sentenced to over 70 years for the daylight murder of Kyle Hackland.
Kyle, who was 17 at the time, was stabbed to death in a premediated revenge attack in #Withington back in mid-November 2022.
Sesay was sentenced to 22 years, Ludford for 21 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article), and Kosey-Smith for 19 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article), after all were found guilty of murder.
Benson has been jailed for 12 years (with two years concurrent for burglary offences) after being found guilty of manslaughter.
Kyle lost his life in what the court heard this week was “a pre-mediated revenge attack”, and was “brutally attacked with knives” by the four teenagers during the “violent assault” in broad daylight.
Yousef SesayLewis LudfordAlfie BensonTafari Kosey-SmithFour jailed for over 70 years for ‘daylight murder’ of Withington teen Kyle Hackland / Credit: GMP
“This is another heartbreaking example of how carrying a knife can have devastating consequences in a matter of seconds,” said Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Moores, after the trial concluded yesterday.
“Our thoughts as a force are once again with Kyle’s loved ones, who will have to continue to live with the pain, but hopefully this can be eased in some way with the conviction of his killers.
“Officers in our Major Incident Team have worked tirelessly to bring justice, and, in our role, we are reminding any young person willing to carry a knife to put it down and think twice before doing so.
“It is not worth it and can ultimately cost yours and other people’s lives.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
‘Midweek mayhem’ predicted on roads as UK prepares for 13.9m summer holiday getaway journeys
Emily Sergeant
This year’s summer getaway is expected to see the biggest number of midweek car trips made since records began.
Now that schools across Greater Manchester, and the rest of the UK, have either or are soon to break up for the summer holidays in the coming days, latest data released by The RAC has revealed that drivers are planning a whopping 13.9m journeys on UK roads before this Thursday (24 July).
Figures suggest that two million trips are planned today (Tuesday 22 June) when the majority of schools in England break up, with another two million each on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 respectively.
According to the figures, a larger number of drivers than ever are expected to head off on holiday at some point during the week, rather than waiting until the weekend to get away.
An additional 5.6m journeys are likely at some point between Monday and Thursday, but drivers haven’t decided on the date yet.
13.9m summer holiday getaway journeys are predicted this week / Credit: Peter Trimming (via Geograph) | Pxfuel
Following the midweek surge, the ‘end of summer term’ getaway weekend will be classically busy, it is predicted, with 2.7 million journeys planned on ‘Frantic Friday’ (25 July), the largest number of journeys on a single day, three million, set to take place on Saturday 26 July, and an additional 2.7 million trips expected on Sunday 27 July.
Again, 4.6 million are planned some point throughout the weekend on dates not yet decided, bringing the total number of journeys over the full getaway week to 26.9 million.
Data from transport experts shows that the ‘midweek mayhem’ predicted will likely cause delays across many major routes, starting on Tuesday 22 July when most schools in England finish for summer.
Both the RAC and INRIX are advising those setting off at the weekend to travel as early or late as possible, because traffic is expected to be at its worst through the middle of the day.
UK drivers are being warned to prepare for ‘midweek mayhem’ / Credit: Mike Bird (via Pexels)
This means that anyone getting away on Friday or Sunday should try to start their trips before 10am or after 7pm, while Saturday drivers should consider heading out before 10am.
“Normally the weekend bears the brunt of getaway traffic, but this year we’re expecting ‘midweek mayhem’ as schools finish for summer,” commented RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, Nick Mullender.
“We typically see a peak on ‘Frantic Friday’ when holidaymakers share the roads with commuters heading home, but our figures indicate these trips will now be spread across several days with millions more weekday journeys planned.
“To avoid the worst of the traffic, travel outside peak times and steer well clear of morning and evening rush hours.”
Featured Image – Geograph
News
UK’s ‘most dangerous’ road near Greater Manchester to undergo £7.6m safety improvements
Emily Sergeant
Snake Pass, what is known as the UK’s ‘most dangerous’ road, has received £7.6 million in funding to improve its safety.
The infamous road connecting Manchester and Sheffield – which is said to be used by more than 30,000 vehicles each week – is the highest road in Derbyshire, and is known for including a series of steep bends, twists, and blind junctions, hence being given the nickname of the UK’s ‘most dangerous’ route.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £7.6 million from its ‘Safer Roads Fund’ to improve safety along the 23-mile stretch of the A57 between Glossop and Sheffield.
Snake Pass is also, sadly, known for its frequent collisions data – with records indicating that, between 2018 and 2023, there were five fatalities, 62 ‘serious;, and 102 slight collision casualties.
Historical records also suggest that landslips have taken place along the Snake Pass for decades, with road closures dating back at least 90 years.
‼️Today, @transportgovuk has awarded £7.6 million from the Safer Roads Fund, to make major safety improvements to the #A57#SnakePass. We’ll be using the money to introduce major safety improvements along a 23-mile stretch of the A57 between Glossop and Sheffield. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/IrpmJpDfXl
Proposed safety improvements to be carried out include the installation of up to 10 average speed camera sites along the route, with speed limit reminder signs, and the improving the junction of the A57 and Manor Park Road in Glossop by narrowing the road so it reduces the time it takes for pedestrians to cross.
More pedestrian crossings will be installed at the Dinting Vale viaduct to provide a safer walking route to the railway station
Advanced ‘road restraint’ safety barriers, which are designed to prevent motorcyclists sliding under existing safety barriers and reduce potential injuries, will also be installed, alongside anti-skid friction surfacing at bends and existing collisions sites to help minimise braking distances.
Snake Pass will be undergoing to undergo £7.6m safety improvements / Credit: Geograph (via Wikipedia Commons)
Councillor Charlotte Hill, who is the Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways, and Transport at Derbyshire Council says Snake Pass is a ‘major tourist route’ and a ‘key economic connection’ for the North.
“We have already carried out a number of safety improvements along the route, but a more holistic solution is required to save lives and change road user attitudes and behaviour along this challenging stretch of road.
“Using our experience gained from similar challenging routes in the county, we will now be able to finalise our proposals for the Snake Pass, in readiness for a public consultation later this year.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd October 2023 
