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Bolton nurse whose 10-week-old baby died after being left home alone jailed

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 16th September 2024

A nurse whose 10-week-old baby died after being left home alone for more than eight hours has been jailed.

Ruth Auta appeared at Bolton Crown Court last week (Tuesday 10 September), where the court heard that she left her nurses’ accommodation shortly after 6:30am on 20 December 2022 to carry out her shift at Royal Bolton Hospital – leaving behind her son, Joshua Akerele, in the process.

The 28-year-old returned more than eight hours later, and then, at 3:24pm, called for an ambulance reporting that her son “was not breathing”.

Despite attempts by paramedics to resuscitate him, Joshua sadly could not be saved and was pronounced dead at 4:40pm, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed.

Experts could not confirm the cause of Joshua’s death, and say he was “a healthy baby in all respects”.

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It’s thought that he may have overheated due to the layers of clothing and bedding he was wrapped in, but other potential causes of death “could not be ruled out”.

Auta initially told the police that she had collected Joshua from a childminder after she had finished work, and then took him back home, fed him, placed him on her bed and fell asleep next to him, before claiming that it was when she woke up she found him unresponsive, however, police seized CCTV footage showing Auta leaving her flat at 6:47am without her baby and returning home alone at 3:13pm.

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Messages to the childminder asking her to tell the police she had looked after Joshua that day were also found on on Auta’s phone, but the childminder told officers she had not seen Joshua for a few days.

In her police interview, Auta gave no comment to the questions asked. She was released on bail whilst a full police investigation was carried out.

Despite the fact Auta gave no comment to the questions asked in her police interview, she was charged with cruelty to a child and pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates Court on 24 May 2024, with case adjourned to 21 June 2024 for sentence, and finally sentenced to three years in prison at Bolton Crown Court last week.

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Speaking following the sentencing last week, Sara Davie, who is the District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Whilst she went to work to provide care for other people, Ruth Auta left the very person who needed her care the most home alone.  

“As a nurse she should have known the dangers of leaving her baby unattended. As she begins her sentence, she must now live with the consequences of the terrible decision she made that day.

“Auta has failed to show remorse throughout the case, she misled police about her childcare arrangements, and then tried to evade justice by attempting to flee the country.

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“Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those who been affected by Joshua’s death.”

Featured Image – GMP

News

Police launch investigation after a 19-year-old is stabbed in broad daylight at an Oldham retail park

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A police investigation has been launched after a stabbing in a ‘very public place’ in Oldham yesterday afternoon.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 30 March 2025) at 3:25pm, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 19-year-old man had been stabbed.

The victim was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’, and GMP assures that he and his family are being supported at this time.

A scene remains in place at the retail park and some of the surrounding areas while the investigation is ongoing, and a large police presence can also been seen too as officers continue to collect evidence and piece together the events of what happened.

No arrests have been made as of yet.

Police also believe the attack to be an ‘isolated incident’ with those involved known to each other, indicating no threat to the wider public.

“We understand this incident is shocking and took place in a very public space,” commented Inspector Andrew Clayton.

“There have been no arrests so far, but enquiries are ongoing to determine who is responsible. At this stage, we do believe the attack to be an isolated incident involving those known to one another.”

Alexandra Retail Park, where the incident occurred yesterday afternoon / Credit: Google Maps

In a bid to gather as much information as possible, a public police appeal has been made.

Inspector Clayton continues: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses so far, but would encourage anyone who believes they have any information or dash cam footage which could assist our investigation, particularly that which may help us identify the perpetrators, to come forward.”

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Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 1757 of 30/03/25, or by getting in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

News

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe are bringing their Together At Home tour to Manchester, here’s everything you need to know for their AO Arena gig.

The boys are back in town, and by the boys we mean multi-million selling vocalists Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, who are heading to Manchester this month.

This duo are no stranger to each other’s company making six collaborative albums since 2016 covering songs from The Greatest Showman, The Lion King and New York, New York.

Their latest release ‘Together At Home’ which doubles as the name for the tour sees the pair back to their good old tricks covering hits like ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ and ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’.

These two powerhouses know how to sing in style and that’s why they’ve chosen the impressive AO Arena to host their brand new show.

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe UK tour dates

  • Sat 29 March – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Sun 30 March – Bournemouth, UK – International Centre
  • Tue 1 April – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
  • Wed 2 April – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Fri 4 April – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
  • Sat 5 April – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
  • Mon 7 April – Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live
  • Tue 8 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Thu 10 April – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
  • Fri 11 April – Birmingham, UK – BP Pulse Live
  • Sun 13 April – London, UK – The O2
  • Mon 14 April – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe tickets for AO Arena gig

Anyone looking at tickets for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s upcoming tour have plenty of opportunity to see these two singing their hearts out.

Fans of the duo better act fast as these tickets are very limited, starting from a reasonable £47.75 and reaching £98.75.

If you want to go all out on this occasion tickets are also available for The Mezz, which is the arena’s fine dining experience covering you before and throughout the show at a fixed price of £206.25.

All tickets and packages can be found HERE.

What are the stage times for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe in Manchester?

AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning you’ll still be able to make it home and pop the kettle on before you get your forty winks.

Their support act comes in the form of another duo, however these two mighty performers are magicians rather than singers.

The Conjurors are a worldwide renowned act famed by audiences and A Listers for their talents which they will be showing off in Manchester on the night.

How to get to AO Arena

Tram

For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily it’s in Manchester Victoria Station and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Train

Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena wherever they are.

Bus

A variety of buses cover AO Arena and Victoria Station on their route such as the 2 bus which stops a one minute walk away from the venue.

A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.

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Getting there by car and parking

The Arena have their own official parking partners CitiPark with 958 spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.

Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.

Walk/cycle

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.

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About the AO Arena

The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.

For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.

All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

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