News

‘Disgusting predator’ from Wythenshawe jailed for life for child rape and sex offences

He answered "no comment" to all questions asked in his interviews.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 26th September 2025

A Wythenshawe man has been jailed for life after being found guilty of several sexual offences against a child.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the offences came to light on Sunday 28 July 2024 after the victim disclosed that she had been raped by an adult man, who has been identified as Matthew Webb from Wythenshawe, and reported it to the police with support from a family member.  

An investigation was then immediately launched, and the victim agreed to be interviewed.

Supported by officers, the victim bravely disclosed further abuse she had been subjected to between the ages of 11-15 – including rape and sexually assault on ‘several’ occasions.

Webb was subsequently arrested on suspicion of rape of a female under 16 on 28 July 2024, and then on 4 August 2024, he was further arrested on suspicion of the same offence based on new evidence obtained. 

ADVERTISEMENT

During his interviews, the 34-year-old was said to be uncooperative and answered “no comment” to all questions asked.

Matthew Webb has been jailed for 28 years for child rape and sex offences / Credit: GMP

Although Webb was charged with sexual offences against a child, he denied all these charges and pleaded ‘not guilty’ at his hearing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Throughout the investigation and his trial, police say he showed ‘no remorse’. 

Following a week-long trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Webb was found guilty by jury on one count of rape of a girl under the age of 13, one count of rape of a girl under 16 on no fewer than five occasions, three counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16, two counts of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13 by touching, and three counts of making indecent images of a child. 

Yesterday (25 September 2025) he was finally handed a 28-year jail sentence, and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more:

“Webb is a disgusting predator who though he could use a child for his own gratification with total disregard,” commented investigating officer DC Blackburn, from South Manchester’s Child Protection unit.

“I hope this sentence brings the victim a sense of justice and allows her to move on as she rebuilds her life.

Featured Image – GMP

News

Soho House Manchester finally has an opening date – and we don’t have long to wait

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Soho House Manchester rooftop pool

Soho House Manchester has finally locked in an opening date for its huge members’ club – the first in the North of England.

With a heated rooftop pool, on-site restaurant, late-night bar, and plenty of spaces perfect for networking and working, it’s been one of the biggest openings our city has seen in years.

And we’ve been waiting a while – Soho House had initially locked in 2022 for its launch into Manchester, but unavoidable delays with the building has pushed this back.

Its transformation of the historic Granada Studios building, at the gateway to the new St John’s district, has been ticking over for several years, and the site is finally almost ready to launch.

Soho House Manchester has confirmed Tuesday 25 November as its opening date, with memberships starting from £2,400 per year.

The members-only space will span across three floors of club space, as well as the rooftop and pool, taking over the upper levels of the old Granada Studios.

Members will have access to a specially curated programme of events, all year round.

Soho House at White City
Soho House at White City
Soho House Manchester
Soho House Manchester. Credit: Supplied

On the eighth floor will be the main club floor, home to The Drawing Room (with a special menu for Soho House Manchester); the House Kitchen, serving classic dishes all day long; and the Pool Lounge, with morning coffees to evening House Tonics.

On the floor above will be the Club Bar, a late-night space with a dedicated bar and live DJs; and the Orange Room, a space for parties and gatherings with a backdrop of the city’s skyline.

Back down on level seven is The Studio, a space for meetings, events and parties.

Also opening later this year will be Mollie’s Motel, a stylish American-style hotel also created by Soho House.

Soho House opens in Manchester on 25 November – you can apply for a membership HERE, with prices from £2,400 per year.

If you want to know more of what Soho House Manchester will offer, head HERE.

Read more

Featured image: Supplied

News

Science and Industry Museum sets grand reopening date for iconic Power Hall

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The Science and Industry Museum is gearing up to mark a monumental milestone.

It’s been a long time coming, but in just a few weeks time, it’ll be welcoming visitors back inside one of the UK’s most significant industrial heritage buildings – the Power Hall.

Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery is a free working gallery where visitors can immerse themselves in the sights, smells, and sounds of the engine-driven ideas and industry that started in Manchester and went on to change the world.

Officially set to reopen Friday 17 October, it’s the latest building to open as part of a multi-million-pound regeneration project currently taking place across the Science and Industry Museum to conserve its historic buildings and reveal new spaces for all visitors to enjoy, play, and learn in for generations to come.

When the building throws open its doors, you can expect the return of iconic engines – including some that will be running for the first time in more than a decade – alongside a whole host of new interactives, perspectives, and people stories that reveal the innovation of Manchester’s industrial heritage. 

Originally built as a shipping shed for the world’s first inter-city steam powered passenger railway, Power Hall is Grade II-listed building of ‘global importance’.

It was the building that the museum first opened back in September 1983, when it became home to one of the UK’s largest collections of historic working engines.

Power Hall temporarily closed in 2019 to allow for urgent repair works to be carried out, as well as a ‘pioneering’ de-carbonisation project to reduce the building’s carbon emissions, and a reimagining of its displays, interpretation, and visitor experience.

The Science and Industry Museum has finally set its grand reopening date for iconic Power Hall / Credit: Science Museum Group

But after more than five years, it’s now thundering towards its reopening, and is bringing a train load of working machinery, hands-on interactives, and brand-new stories to discover along with it.

“This is a hugely significant moment for our museum and for Manchester,” said Sally MacDonald, who is the Director of the Science and Industry Museum.

“Power Hall symbolises the city’s innovation, creativity, and resilience, and we are overjoyed that visitors will soon be back to enjoy all the amazing objects and stories on display. Ideas that began in this city have impacted people and places across the world and shaped life as we know it, and Power Hall showcases this in a very physical way.

“Our colleagues who first set up this gallery in 1983 knew that science and engineering have always been crucial to Manchester’s success and future growth. 

The Grade II-listed Power Hall closed in 2019 for urgent repair works / Credit: Science Museum Group

“Many people have told me that the Power Hall was inspirational for them as children, and I hope now it can inspire a new generation of inventors and technicians.”

Sally added that she wants to say a ‘massive thank you’ to the museum’s fantastic collaborators, partners, and funders for helping them to create this ‘must-see’ Manchester experience.

She concluded: “Of course, thank you to our visitors for their patience and sustained interest while Power Hall has been closed.

Read more:

“I speak on behalf of everyone at the museum when I say we can’t wait to welcome you back.”

Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery will reopen on Friday 17 October, and visits are free and included as part of a museum ticket.

Featured Image – Science Museum Group

More News

Crime

Family pay tribute to Tameside teen Catherine Blackhurst found dead after reported missing

The United Strand shares update after Old Trafford attack

Crime

‘The United Strand’ shares update after video of assault at Old Trafford goes viral

Salford City statement on Yorkshire Police racist incident investigation

Crime

Salford City ‘extremely disappointed’ in Yorkshire Police’s investigation after racist abuse

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches