The family of a young woman who was found dead in Bury over the weekend have paid a touching tribute to her.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to an address on Walnut Avenue, in the Greater Manchester town of Bury, at approximately 10:30pm last Friday night (6 September, and once arriving on the scene, discovered a woman with “multiple injuries”.
The woman, who has now been named as Barbara Nomakhosi, was believed to have died earlier that evening.
Specialist officers are continuing to support the 35-year-old’s family, as work continues into the circumstances of her death, GMP confirmed.
At this time, extensive enquiries into the situation are still ongoing, but what is known is that police did identify a suspect following Ms Nomakhosi’s death, but it is believed that he subsequently died in a fatal collision between a HGV and a pedestrian on the M65 Eastbound at approximately 9pm that same evening (6 September).
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The man, in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are appealing for information after a ‘caring and hardworking’ woman has died in Bury / Credit: GMP
No other suspects are being sought in connection with Barbara’s death at this time, GMP has revealed, and there is no wider risk to the public either.
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Officers are continuing to work through the full circumstances of both the incidents – with both GMP and Lancashire Police progressing the investigation.
As investigations are ongoing, and police appeal for information, a spokesperson for Ms Nomakhosi’s family have paid tribute to her, which reads: “Barbara was a caring and hardworking person. She was so thoughtful and always checking up on her family and friends. Barbara loved her family and enjoyed working as a carer. We loved Barbara so much and life will not be the same without her.”
#TRIBUTE | The family of a woman who was sadly found dead at a property on Walnut Avenue in Bury have paid tribute to her.
Barbara Nomakhosi, aged 35, has been described as ‘caring and hard-working’ in the tribute from her family.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Davis, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, called this a “complex investigation”.
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“I know just how much Barbara’s family will miss her and I hope that the memories of her can provide comfort as they begin to come to terms with this heartbreaking loss,” DCI Davis added.
“This is a complex investigation, which is very much ongoing, and we remain in contact with colleagues in Lancashire as they progress their own investigation into the circumstances of the fatal collision.”
Anyone with information they think would be helpful is urged to get in touch police via 101 or gmp.police.uk, quoting log 4106 of 06/09/24, or alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Similarly, if you have any footage or information about the fatal collision, you can contact Lancashire Police quoting log 1512 of 6 September, or email their Serious Collision Investigation Unit at [email protected].
Featured Image – GMP
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Atherton man handed lengthy jail sentence after ‘sinister’ sexual abuse investigation
Emily Sergeant
A man has been handed a lengthy jail sentence after police uncovered his “sinister activities” during a sexual abuse investigation.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) revealed that Peter James Wilson, from the Greater Manchester town of Atherton, abused seven victims over a 51-year time frame, starting all the way back in 1972 when he was just 14 years old.
The now 67-year-old began what has been described as a “horrifying pattern of abusive behaviour” towards young people that “persisted for decades”.
Police say he subjected multiple victims, regardless of their age or gender, to “deeply traumatising experiences”, which ranged from things like inappropriate advances, through to “devastating” acts of coercion and even rape.
As the years passed, Wilson’s predatory behaviour continued to escalate, as he manipulated and took advantage of his victims, while “shattering their innocence and trust” in the process – but GMP says 2023 marked a “turning point”, as Wilson was arrested at his home on suspicion of sexual assault involving a child.
An Atherton man has been handed a lengthy jail sentence after a ‘sinister’ sexual abuse case / Credit: GMP
Wilson’s arrest followed a brave disclosure from one of his victims, and this led to a thorough search of his property, which went on to reveal shocking evidence of his sinister activities.
Among the items seized from Wilson’s home were two mobile phone devices, a disc enclosed within an envelope, and a small camera containing an SD card, while police said they also “disturbingly” recovered a hidden camera, and after analysing these items, videos depicting the “cruel exploitation” of a female child, aged approximately six to eight years old, were unearthed.
After gathering this information, GMP initiated ‘Operation Bunker’.
‘Operation Bunker’ led to the discovery of further victims, and went on to manage all 28 counts of Wilson’s abuse and crimes.
Wilson pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 by touching, sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 by penetration, and creating an indecent image of a child, as well as being found guilty by a jury of 23 further sexual offences relating to children and adults – including indecent assault and rape.
He was sentenced to 27 years in prison yesterday (16 September).
He will also be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), GMP has confirmed.
Featured Image – GMP
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Manchester’s iconic inflatable monsters are set to invade the city centre again this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of huge inflatable monsters are set to invade Manchester next month, as Halloween returns to the city for 2024.
Yes, it’s that time of year yet again… the monsters are back.
After several years of looming over Manchester‘s most-notable rooftops and lurking around famous city centre sites, it’s been revealed that the iconic MCR Monsters will be returning for another year of spooky celebrations next month, along with loads of other terrifying tricks and treats – with something for the whole family to get involved with.
Organisers CityCo and Manchester BID are gearing up to “roll out the blood-red carpet” for its legendary and monstrous guests in a couple of weeks time.
This year’s annual Halloween in the City celebrations will kick off with a week-long colourful invasion of the MCR Monsters, before being followed by a two-day family festival across the city’s popular shopping destinations.
Halloween is returning to the city for loads of spooky celebrations next month / Credit: CityCo (via Supplied)
Crawling their way back into the city from Friday 25 October through to Halloween itself on Thursday 31 October, the epic MCR Monsters inflatable art trail – which is created by artists Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas – will be taking over leading locations like Manchester Arndale, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Corn Exchange, and New Century, with many more sites set to be announced soon.
A brand-new monster called ‘The Leech’ will be heading to town to join to celebrations this year, alongside some other spookily-similar faces from years’ past.
Buildings across the city will also be turning a ghoulish green once the night falls, while you can also expect to see thousands of little pumpkin lanterns adorning the city’s streets once again.
There’ll be something for all the family to / Credit: CityCo (via Supplied)
Some of the other fan-favourite events on the jam-packed Halloween in the City lineup confirmed to be returning this year are the ‘Monsters Rock! Music Festival’, with spooky live bands and DJs, as well as gruesome games and competitions, the popular ‘Team Trick v Team Treat’ fancy dress challenge, and the hair-raising monster procession ‘Rock! Party Procession’ – which will feature giant puppet monsters, stilt walkers, and a live band marching their way through Manchester Arndale and on Market Street.
Thousands of families are expected to come into the city centre dressed in their scariest costumes over Halloween weekend on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October.
Jane Sharrocks, who is the Chair of Manchester BID, said Manchester is set to transform into the “ultimate Halloween playground” this year, and that organisers are planning 2024 to be the “most thrilling year yet”.
“As the first UK city to host these incredible creatures, Manchester has become the ultimate Halloween destination,” Jane added.
Halloween in the City officially returns to Manchester on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October, with the monsters descending from Friday 25 October and the pumpkins potentially even earlier, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Emily Sergeant -
9th September 2024 
