A former Lancashire Police officer has been handed a lengthy jail sentence for an attempted murder in Manchester city centre.
James Riley, from Preston in Lancashire, was sentenced to 16 years behind bars at Manchester Crown Court last Friday (12 January) after pleading guilty to the offence.
The sentencing comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) initially responded to a call of concern for the welfare of a woman in her 20s, who was found unresponsive at a hotel on Brook Street in Manchester city centre on the night of Thursday 10 November 2022.
She was found by emergency services in a life-threatening condition, and was later transferred to hospital in an induced coma, but thankfully, she regained consciousness the following day – although she has suffered some long-lasting injuries as a result.
28 year-old Riley – who was not on duty at the time of the incident – made a roughly 10-minute call to his family, before anonymously calling for an ambulance and then proceeding to flee the scene, leaving the victim behind.
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He tried to evade capture using several different types of transport to hide his tracks and direction of travel, according to GMP.
#JAILED | These are the movements of James Riley, a former Lancashire Police officer, who has been sentenced to 16 years for an attempt murder.
He was off duty at the time of the incident which took place in the city centre in November 2022.
This was initially done by Riley exiting the hotel in his car, before crashing it nearby, and then running from the scene and attempting to get on a bus, taxi, and hitchhike back home to Lancashire – but a CCTV trawl, which was described as “painstaking”, saw police manage to track Riley’s movements in the aftermath of the incident.
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It also went on to further highlight Riley’s instincts and intention on evading capture by retrieving two £250 cash transactions from different ATMs, and then discarding his mobile phone to make sure he couldn’t be digitally tracked.
A “wide-ranging search” for Riley using a number of resources – including specialist operations across three police forces in the North West – followed this, all before he was found and arrested in the early hours of the morning in West Yorkshire.
Lancashire Police then immediately suspended Riley, and launched an internal investigation into his conduct, alongside the criminal enquiries by GMP – which led to an accelerated misconduct hearing, where he was dismissed from the force without notice.
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Riley has also been added to the College of Policing barred list, GMP has confirmed.
Featured Image – GMP
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Delays on M60 continue after man dies falling from bridge near Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
A man has tragically died after falling from a bridge on the M60, near the Trafford Centre.
Police closed the motorway in both directions at around 10am this morning as they responded to the concern for welfare.
The man was on Barton Bridge on the M60, but tragically fell and passed away at the scene.
The motorway was shut anti-clockwise between junction 12 for the M602 and junction 10, and on the clockwise carriageway between junction 9 and 11, with a huge diversion in place.
Although the motorway has reopened as the afternoon has worn on, disruption is ‘likely’ to continue for several hours yet.
National Highways is reporting up to two miles of congestion on the M60 around Barton Bridge.
In a statement released earlier today, a GMP spokesperson said: “Officers are currently responding to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60, reported at around 9:40am today (Tuesday 31 March).
“The M60 remains closed in both directions while emergency services are in attendance. Significant delays are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible.”
GMP later added: “Earlier today, officers responded to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60. The man sadly fell from the bridge and passed away at the scene.
“The road remains closed while enquiries continue. Please avoid the area and plan alternative routes where possible as disruption is likely to continue for the rest of the day.”
Molly-Mae Hague and adidas drop new collection inspired by matcha and iced lattes
Daisy Jackson
Today, adidas has finally released its hotly-anticipated parnership with Manchester-based influencer Molly-Mae Hague.
The social media superstar has collaborated with the sportswear giant for a limited-edition footwear collection inspired by matchas and iced lattes.
Molly-Mae and adidas Originals have just given fans a look at the shoes for the first time.
The star has curated a limited-edition collection of iconic Originals silhouettes – a Samba and a Superstar.
The first is the Samba Matcha shoes, a premium leather and suede shoe in a soft green colour, with double pink and white laces.
The other is a Superstar II Latte, which again features double laces in coffee-coloured hues, but in the iconic leather Superstar silhouette.
In behind-the-scenes footage of the design process on Molly-Mae’s Amazon Prime documentary series, Behind It All, she described them as ‘matcha cool girl in London’ shoes – and the vision has definitely come to life.
Molly-Mae said: “Seeing my creative vision come to life on two iconic adidas Originals silhouettes that have long been staples in my wardrobe is a true dream.
“Being so closely involved in the design process and creating products that feel fun, timeless, and an authentic extension of my own personal style has been the best experience.
“I am so excited to see how others style them in their own way.”
Steve Marks, VP Brand adidas UK commented: “At adidas, we partner with individuals who define style through authenticity and a deep-rooted connection to our brand.
“Molly-Mae’s relationship with adidas Originals has developed organically over time as a key advocate of the brand and this partnership represents a natural evolution – bringing her signature aesthetic to two of our most iconic silhouettes.”
The limited-edition adidas Originals x Molly-Mae collection drops in stores and online on 9 April, priced at £100 per pair.
Emily Sergeant -
15th January 2024 
