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Rochdale man jailed for 16 years after killing another man at a New Year’s Eve party

The sentencing follows a six-week trial.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th November 2025

A man from Rochdale has been handed a lengthy jail sentence after killing another man at a New Year’s Eve house party.

Hassan Suliman, of Rothesay Terrace in Rochdale, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week after previously being found guilty of the manslaughter.

His sentencing comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance on Essex Street in Rochdale in the early hours of New Year’s Day (1 January 2025), and upon arrival, officers found a man with multiple stab wounds.

Despite the best efforts of all emergency service workers, the man was sadly pronounced dead at hospital soon after. 

The victim was later named as 38-year-old Alberto Ursu.

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GMP’s Major Incident Team launched an investigation immediately after, which subsequently revealed that Hassan Suliman had been involved in a confrontation with Mr Ursu – which both of the men were left injured during.

Suliman fled the scene following the confrontation, but was found by officers collapsed nearby a short while after. 

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Forensic analysis by officers later linked the weapons to both Suliman and Mr Ursu.

Following a six-week trial at Manchester Crown Court in September, Suliman was convicted of manslaughter, but was found not guilty of all other charges, and then last Friday (14 November), he was sentenced to 16 years – ordered to serve a minimum of 13 years in prison, with a further three years on licence.

Speaking following Suliman’s sentencing last week, Detective Sergeant Helen Hitchen, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “This was meant to be a happy night celebrating the New Year, but sadly ended in the tragic loss of a life. 

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“This case just goes to show the devastating consequences of knife crime and its lasting impacts on lives.

“A man lost his life and will never return to his family.  

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“Suliman is now serving time behind bars for his actions that night, and I do hope that this sentence brings some measure of closure to Alberto’s family.”

Featured Image – GMP