The parents of missing student Charley Gadd have issued an urgent plea to the public to help find their son.
20-year-old Charley has not been seen since the early hours of Saturday morning.
Charley had initially been to Warehouse Project, but was reported missing afterwards, and a CCTV image of his last known movements was then released on Monday (13 December) after Greater Manchester Police said it had discovered he was last seen just before 1.15am on Saturday outside the Royal Exchange Theatre, and was heading towards St Annes Street in the city centre.
He is described as a white male of skinny build, 5ft 9 inches, with mousy brown hair, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans.
Now, his parents have spoken out and issued an appeal.
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Charley’s father, Jolyon Gadd, said in his appeal: “We were out with Charley on Friday night and Saturday morning on the 11 December and had a lovely time together.
“We were near the Spar Store in St Mary’s Gate at around 1.10am when Charley ran off [and] we spent many hours then and later in the early hours looking for him before reporting him missing to the police around 11am.
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“Charley is not familiar with Manchester and may have got lost and not been able to find his way back to his hotel.”
Mr Gadd continued: “Charley is a very bright, warm, funny and loving man who everybody hugely enjoys being around.
“He is in the second year of a film and media degree course at the University of Essex in Colchester where he is well liked and flat shares with friends. We have heard nothing from him since he ran off and my wife and I and his brothers Bruno and Rufus are desperate for any news of him.
“As we do not live in the area, we would ask local people and businesses to help us by looking in outbuilding, vehicles, bins, and anywhere else that Charley may have taken shelter to keep warm on Saturday morning.
“We really appreciate all the support and kind comments given by local people on social media, and ask that you please keep this in the public eye locally until we find Charley.
“However, we would ask that our privacy also please be respected at this time.”
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20-year-old Charley Gadd has not been seen since the early hours of Saturday morning / Credit: Greater Manchester Police
Greater Manchester Police has confirmed that enquiries into Charley’s disappearance are ongoing and searches are being carried out, but say that officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen Charley or has any information.
Anyone with information about Charley’s whereabouts should contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency and quote log 149 of 12/12/2021.
Featured Image – Greater Manchester Police
News
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Emily Sergeant -
15th December 2021 
