A man from Oldham has been sentenced to life behind bars after being found guilty of murdering his friend.
Lee Francis Burns, of Worsley Street in Oldham, was yesterday (22 May) sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for murdering 45-year-old Vincent McDonagh late last year, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed.
His sentencing comes after police were called to reports of a man being unconscious in the street on Abbey Hills Road in Oldham at around 11:55pm on Thursday 9 November 2023.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Vincent McDonagh – who was known as Vinny – with a “serious head injury”, but despite the best efforts of all emergency services involved, he he tragically passed away a short time later.
The court heard yesterday how the two “supposed friends” first headed out to a local pub.
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After Vinny gave Burns £20 to buys some drinks, both men decided to play some pool, and then, after half an hour of being at the pub, the pair engaged in “verbal altercation” – but this “quickly ended with a handshake”.
Abbey Hills Road in Oldham, where the tragic incident occurred last year / Credit: Google Maps
As the night went on, the pals continued drinking and subsequently left the pub “in good spirits” at around 10:50pm, but CCTV footage appeared to show the men engaging in another verbal altercation as they were walking home, which then went on to become “physical”.
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According to GMP, Burns punched Vinny in the arm, which caused him to slip and end up on the floor, and although Vinny tried to fend off Burns using his leg as a shield, the latter remained intent on “escalating the violence”, and after managing to get around his friend, Burns then followed-up with punches to knock Vinny unconscious, and finished off with further punches and stamps to the head before leaving the area and heading home.
When Burns arrived home, he apparently said to a neighbour “I think I’ve killed Vinny, I’ve stamped on his head”.
Less than six hours later, Burns was arrested on suspicion of murder after officers established his identity following “extensive CCTV research”.
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#JAILED | Lee Francis Burns has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years for murdering Vinny McDonagh.
The supposed friends went out drinking before a verbal altercation became physical.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 22, 2024
Throughout the trial, GMP says Burns “maintained innocence” and claimed he was “acting in self-defence”.
Speaking following Burns being sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison yesterday, Detective Inspector Paul Davies, from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, explained: “Our investigation has been meticulous, and we were able to draw up a timeline of both men’s movements, securing CCTV and audio footage from local premises.
“I would like to thank the initial attending officers and the investigating team whose swift actions, hard work, and dedication ensured Burns was identified and arrested within a short space of time.
“We will continue to support Vinny’s family in every way we can, and I hope today’s result can go some way to providing closure for them.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Tributes paid to a Manchester legend as Sir Howard Bernstein dies aged 71
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring in following the death of Manchester legend Sir Howard Bernstein, who sadly passed away at the age of 71 on Saturday morning following a period of illness.
Bernstein, the former chief executive of Manchester City Council who worked his way up through local office after starting as a junior clerk at the age of 18 back in the 1970s, is considered to be one of our most important figures and cultural contributors in the city’s history.
The Cheetham Hill-born councillor, who finished his career helping lead the UK’s Sustainability and Transformation plan footprint (STPs), retired back in 2017 but his legacy here in 0161 spans generations and is credited with helping bring the city into the 21st century.
He leaves behind his wife Vanessa and two children.
Very sad to hear of the passing of Sir Howard Bernstein.
Without doubt in my mind, the most important figure to spearhead Manchesters renaissance.
A true Manchester legend.
His fingerprints will always be left on the City. RIP Sir Howard.
A special video made to mark his retirement: the remarkable life of Sir Howard Bernstein as he’s honoured by business community in Manchester. RIP Howard. https://t.co/fvKTC0MQ6n
As you can see, countless local figures and peers who have undoubtedly followed his example over the past few decades have been paying tribute to the legend of local government, along with Mancunians who simply admired his work as a passionate and beyond-loyal city servant.
Tom Bloxham MBE, chair of Manchester International Festival and local developers Urban Splash, said, “So sad to hear this morning”, while former Granada News reporter Rob McLoughlin called it “A tremendous loss to a city which looked battered and maybe economically finished in the early 80s.”
Manchester Evening News labelled him “a true hero” and the City Council’s Deputy Leader Luthfur Rahman OBE wrote: “Sad day for Manchester. Howard was a great public servant, he had the vision and ability to bring different stakeholders together to deliver for Manchester.”
The MCC’s full statement on his passing should tell you everything you need to know about how important a character Howard was in this city’s story.
Council Leader pays tribute to Sir Howard Bernstein following the announcement of his death today.
Council Leader Bev Craig summed up his contributions perfectly, writing: “He had boundless energy, strategic vision and a passion for Manchester.
“In 46 years at the Council, serving as chief executive between 1998 and 2017, he played an integral role in the regeneration and economic growth of the city, from the city centre’s resurgence after the 1996 IRA bomb and the 2002 Commonwealth Games and transformation of East Manchester to the creation and extension of Metrolink.
“He was also integral in the establishment of strong working relationships between the 10 Greater Manchester councils, culminating in the establishment of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in 2011 and a series of historic devolution agreements which transferred power and resources away from Westminster and Whitehall to our region. He leaves an incredible legacy in the transformation of the city.”
Simply put, Manchester would not be anywhere near where it is today without Howard Bernstein and we have him to thank for a lot of what makes this modern, thriving city so great.
Our thoughts are will his loved ones at this difficult time. Rest in peace to a legend and thank you.
Family pay heartbreaking tribute to 14-year-old Nathaniel Shani as his murderers are jailed
Daisy Jackson
The family of Nathaniel Shani, stabbed to death at just 14 years old, have shared a heartbreaking tribute to him as his killers were jailed.
Nathaniel was brutally murdered in September 2023, passing away in hospital after being stabbed in the neck in Tavistock Square in Harpurhey.
On Wednesday this week, his killers – a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy who both cannot be named for legal reasons – were sentenced to a total of 23 years in prison.
Nathaniel’s family have again cried out for an end to knife crime, urging other parents to take responsibility for ensuring their children aren’t carrying knives.
They have described the 14-year-old air cadet as a ‘courageous young boy’ who had a ‘great sense of humour’.
The tribute shared through GMP added that he was ‘never angry or mad at anyone’.
They said: “When he is bored, he will just crack a joke and every one would just burst into instant laughter whether it’s at home or in school or playground. That painful memory is failing to go away.
The family of Nathaniel Shani have paid tribute to him
“The scars you have left us with, Nattie, may heal but are very visible to anyone we meet today. That permanent change in our life is painful.
“I walked into a Manchester market street shop a week ago, the chap serving me noticed my pendant, and said to me, “I know who you are, my condolences”. That’s how people know me now Nathaniel, it’s life-changing.”
His sudden, tragic death has also left his family suffering with ‘sleepless nights, constant use of antidepressants, uncontrollable tears’, and they describe their day-to-day existence as being ‘like a dream and that when we wake up, Nathaniel will be in his room sleeping’.
Speaking of knife crime, Nathaniel’s family said: “We want more to be done about knife crime with a total ban of carrying knives in our streets. There is no knife too small to cause harm or serious damage.
Nathaniel Shani was an air cadet
“We want parents to take part and responsibility in ensuring their kids don’t carry knives or held liable vicariously. Parents need to be given some control over their kids, if they suspect any unusual behaviours and challenge their children they must not be penalised.
“Schools must disclose and discuss with parents any information regarding their children, these can be picked up before someone loses their life.
“There is no safeguarding without involvement of the parents.
“Our wish is that more powers need to be given to police to pin down those carrying knives, prosecute and award longer sentences.
“Our plea is for everyone to ‘Say No to Knives, No Knife is too Small’.”