It’s been almost a decade since Robert Hart’s death, following an unprovoked attack at Parklife festival – and his killer has never been found.
Robert, who was 26 at the time of the attack in 2014, had been one of thousands partying and enjoying Manchester’s biggest music festival.
But his weekend came to the most tragic end when he was punched unconscious after reportedly defending his girlfriend, who was being hit by an inflatable toy.
Robert was rushed to hospital, where he died days later from his injuries.
A £50k reward is now being offered for any information that leads to the conviction of his killer, almost 10 years on.
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The attacker has been described as mixed race, in his mid-20s, around 6ft to 6ft 2in tall, of muscular build with short, dark hair which was shaved at the sides.
The suspect may have been with several people, one of whom is an unknown woman believed to be white, mid-20s, with shoulder-length blonde hair, about 5ft 7ins tall, and possibly wearing a pink t-shirt.
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GMP has made a fresh appeal for information relating to Robert’s death at Parklife on BBC’s Crimewatch Live today, adding that the £50k reward ‘is payable for information that leads to charge and conviction’.
Robert Hart was from Macclesfield and was attacked at the Heaton Park festival on Saturday 7 June 2014.
Anyone who attended Parklife on that date, especially those who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental’s set had finished and before Snoop Dogg was due on, is asked to share photos and videos.
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The area that the attack on Robert Hart took place at Parklife in 2014
Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly, from GMP’s Major Crime Review Team, said: “Even though this terrible incident was almost 10 years ago, it will still be fresh in the minds of many people, especially Robert’s family and people who were at Parklife.
“Despite the passing of time, the heartache felt by Robert’s family has not faded.
“Just as we were in 2014, we are determined to catch the person responsible which is why we are taking a fresh look at the evidence and appealing for the assistance of the public.
“We are appealing for people to dig deep into their consciences – it you were one of the people involved on the day we would urge you to come forward.
“No-one went to the festival that weekend with thoughts of violence.
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“Allegiances and friendships will have changed so if anyone has any information they can report it to police in confidence, particularly if they feel they could not before.
“We are also asking for people at Parklife on Saturday 7 June 2014 to share their photos and videos with us – especially people who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental had finished their set and before Snoop Dogg was due on.”
Crimewatch Live has replayed some of the original appeal from 2014 to coincide with what would have been Robert’s 36th birthday at the start of March.
Robert’s mum Elaine said: “Robert loved music and played his guitar all the time – music was the reason he went to Parklife. He didn’t go to Parklife for anything other than for his love of music.
“I visit him every week in Macclesfield Cemetery – he shouldn’t be there, he should be here, enjoying and living his life to the full with a family of his own.”
Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via www.gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999. Information about a crime can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Body of woman found in River Mersey last year finally identified after ‘extensive’ investigation
Emily Sergeant
The body of woman who was found in the River Mersey last year has finally been identified.
Following what has been described as an ‘extensive investigation’ by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Major Incident Team to determine the identity of the body, which was sadly discovered in the river adjacent to Chorlton Water Park on 21 March 2024, the family of the victim has now been informed and supported by specialist officers.
The victim has been formally named as 38-year-old Laura Stanley, who was originally from Derbyshire but was living in Stockport.
After the body was discovered, and ‘exhaustive and determined’ investigation by GMP officers began to identify here, including detailed checks of both national and international databases.
The Major Incident Team (MIT) also closely worked in collaboration with specialist forensic service providers to create an anthropological profile, which eventually culminated in the creation of a facial reconstruction image.
Following several media appeals, a relative of Laura contacted officers and then a DNA match was confirmed through a familial link.
“Laura was a kind and gentle person with a great sense of fun and adventure,” Laura’s family said in a heartbreaking tribute to her.
“She was generous, thoughtful, caring and always keen to volunteer within the community. Laura was a proud and loving mum and she will be greatly missed by her girls and all of her friends and family who loved her dearly.”
The River Mersey, across from Chorlton Water Park, where Laura’s body was discovered / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
While Laura has now been identified, police say further investigations will take place to understand her last movements, the events that led to her death, and her discovery in the river.
Additionally, as is standard practice, GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate is also reviewing a previous missing report relating to Laura in the time before the discovery of her body, which will determine prior contact relating to Laura, and whether the appropriate measures were enacted.
#UPDATE | A woman who was discovered in the River Mersey last year has been identified following an extensive investigation by officers in GMP’s Major Incident Team.
Thank you to those of you who have shared our appeals over the last year.
Anyone who knew Laura and thinks they may be able to assist with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 101, or by using the Live Chat Service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log number 1191 of 21 March 2024.
Alternatively, you can contact the Major Incident Team Syndicate 3 directly on 0161 856 9479, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
It is currently believed that Laura was last seen around January 2024.
Featured Image – GMP
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More than 70,000 home buyers set to pay thousands after missing stamp duty relief deadline
Emily Sergeant
More than 70,000 home buyers across England are estimated to have missed the stamp duty relief deadline.
This sadly means they’ll be required to fork out thousands of pounds extra.
In case you hadn’t heard, up until yesterday (31 March 2025), anyone who was moving and had bought a home in the past was not required to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax, better-known as just stamp duty, on the portion of the property price up to £250,000.
But from today (1 April), this threshold has now fallen back to £125,000, which unfortunately means that property purchasers are facing an extra £2,500 in moving costs, on average.
While the end of the stamp duty relief will mostly affect those Greater Manchester buyers who had already previously purchased properties, first time buyers are sadly not exempt from the deadline changes too, as their current stamp duty threshold of £425,000 has now fallen back to £300,000 as of today.
Person holding the keys to a new house in their hand / Credit: Maria Ziegler (via Unsplash)
Given that the average property price for a first time buyer-type home is currently around £227,965, according to Rightmove, the new £300,000 threshold may hit those purchasing properties in more expensive areas – particularly the South East.
A third of those estimated 70,000 home buyers who have missed the deadline are thought to be first time buyers.
Leading property platform Rightmove published an analysis in February into just how much of an impact the end of the stamp duty relief would have on home buyers, all while calling on the UK Government to announce a short extension to the deadline to help people in the middle of the property purchasing process avoid potentially thousands of pounds in extra moving costs.
But despite these calls from industry leaders, there was no extension to the deadline announced in the last week’s latest Spring Statement.
“It’s extremely disappointing that the Government has not used the Spring Statement as an opportunity to extend the impending stamp duty deadline for those currently going through the home-moving process,” commented Rightmove’s property expert Colleen Babcock.
“We estimate over 70,000 people are going to miss the deadline and complete in April instead, and a third of those are first time buyers.”
Daisy Jackson -
22nd March 2024 
