A man from Leigh has been convicted and jailed after stabbing his neighbour to death last December.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that 55-year-old Kevin Draper was found to have stabbed Jack O’Brien, 27, multiple times after being let into his house on Siddow Common on Tuesday 3 December 2024.
Police were called to the address at 6:50pm, along with the other emergency services, after Mr O’Brien was taken to a neighbour’s address further along the road, where the occupants phoned for an ambulance.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, Mr O’Brien he died from his injuries.
#JAILED | Man jailed for killing his neighbour in Leigh
Kevin Draper (15/09/1969), of Siddow Common Leigh, stabbed Jack O’Brien, 27, multiple times after being let into his house.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 4, 2025
A murder investigation was subsequently launched following his death, and according to GMP, and it was established from CCTV enquiries that Draper had entered Mr O’Brien’s house and was also seen walking away.
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Officers who arrived on scene were told that the incident hadn’t occurred at the location they were called to, so they looked for any signs of blood outside and then followed the blood trail back to Draper’s home address – which ultimately led to his arrest the following day when he returned to the street to collect a pair of trainers.
Draper then went on to claim self-defence, meaning the jury at Manchester Crown Court found him not guilty of murder, but did go on to convict him of manslaughter.
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Jack O’Brien, who was killed by his neighbour in Leigh last year / Credit: GMP
“This sentencing reflects the severity of Draper’s actions and the tragic loss of Jack O’Brien,” commented Detective Inspector Matthew Hamer, of GMP’s Major Incident Team.
“Our thoughts remain with Jack’s family and friends during this difficult time, and we hope this outcome brings some measure of closure to those affected by Draper’s actions.
“This case reaffirms our commitment to ensuring justice is served and our streets remain safe, and we thank local residents for their cooperation and the officers involved for their diligent work in bringing this case to a resolution.”
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Tracy O’Brien, Jack’s mother, also released a powerful statement on behalf of the family.
“You [Draper] viciously attacked him, causing deep stab wounds that took his life, but you also took mine,” her statement reads.
“I will never be able to touch, hear or hug my boy again – I just have memories, pictures and his ashes.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Featured Image – Israel Andrade (via Unsplash)
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Delays on M60 continue after man dies falling from bridge near Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
A man has tragically died after falling from a bridge on the M60, near the Trafford Centre.
Police closed the motorway in both directions at around 10am this morning as they responded to the concern for welfare.
The man was on Barton Bridge on the M60, but tragically fell and passed away at the scene.
The motorway was shut anti-clockwise between junction 12 for the M602 and junction 10, and on the clockwise carriageway between junction 9 and 11, with a huge diversion in place.
Although the motorway has reopened as the afternoon has worn on, disruption is ‘likely’ to continue for several hours yet.
National Highways is reporting up to two miles of congestion on the M60 around Barton Bridge.
In a statement released earlier today, a GMP spokesperson said: “Officers are currently responding to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60, reported at around 9:40am today (Tuesday 31 March).
“The M60 remains closed in both directions while emergency services are in attendance. Significant delays are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible.”
GMP later added: “Earlier today, officers responded to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60. The man sadly fell from the bridge and passed away at the scene.
“The road remains closed while enquiries continue. Please avoid the area and plan alternative routes where possible as disruption is likely to continue for the rest of the day.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th July 2025 
