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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‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
Emily Sergeant -
7th July 2025 
