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’.
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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.
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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’.
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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.
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“Our plea is for everyone to ‘Say No to Knives, No Knife is too Small’.”
Manchester GPs can now ‘prescribe’ cost of living support to residents
Emily Sergeant
GPs are now able to offer prescription-style support with the cost of living to residents in Manchester.
It’s no secret that the cost of living crisis has, unfortunately, been continuing to make itself known across the country for the past couple of years, and despite recent Government intervention in the form of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s series of ‘everyday fixes’, it sadly doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
But now it’s been revealed that Greater Manchester residents can be ‘prescribed’ cost of living support when they visit their local GP.
For patients who patients need help with bills, debts, benefits, or affording food, GPs can now provide them with details of Manchester’s free cost of living advice line.
That means that, for anyone whose mental or physical health is being affected by financial worries, GPs can simply tear a page that contains all the details they need for the advice line from a block that looks like a prescription pad, and hand it to the patient.
Alternatively, the GP can also ‘refer’ the patient straight into the service online in a similar way to making a referral to a specialist or consultant.
Manchester GPs can now ‘prescribe’ cost of living support to residents / Credit: Towfiqu Barbhuiya | Mylo Kaye (via Unsplash)
Once a resident makes contact with the free cost of living advice line – which started back in October 2022, and has helped thousands of people since – they can receive a wide range of advice on issues like energy costs and rent, to help with getting online, and so much more.
The Council also says that recent figures show there is an increasing number of calls or requests around help with rent or benefits and support with food or foodbanks, which is why it has chosen to introduce this ‘innovate’ move.
“We don’t want anyone to feel like they are becoming lost under competing financial pressures, worries about putting food on the table, or keeping a roof over their heads,” commented Cllr Tracey Rawlins, who is the Deputy Leader at Manchester City Council.
“We really want to help before worries become a problem,” she added. “The team on the advice line keep all information in confidence and they want to help.”
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
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Teenage boy rushed to hospital after third Manchester Arndale stabbing this month
Daisy Jackson
A teenage boy has been taken to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries after a reported stabbing outside Manchester Arndale.
It’s the third time this month that a knife attack has taken place at the popular shopping centre, in the heart of the city.
Two other teenage boys, aged 16 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of affray – they remain in custody for questioning.
The teenage boy who was found on Market Street after reports of a stabbing was taken to hospital with injuries that may be life-threatening.
A huge police response was pictured outside Manchester Arndale last night, with a lift outside Rollers Cafe cordoned off.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Officers responded to reports of a stabbing on Market Street outside the Arndale Centre at 7pm last night (October 27, 2026). A teenage boy was found and taken to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries.
“Two boys, aged 16 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of affray and remain in custody for questioning. Inquiries are ongoing.”
It’s the third incident involving knives at the Manchester Arndale in the last fortnight.
On 17 October, a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with stab wound injuries after an attack in the Manchester Arndale car park.
Two other 14-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
Then on 24 October, emergency services were called to reports of an assault involving a knife, with two teenagers again arrested.
Daisy Jackson -
21st June 2024 
