A cat that’s a familiar face around Stockport has been left seriously injured after he was reportedly pinned down and kicked by a gang of ‘kids’.
Tosca, a black-and-white feline with special needs, is often found wandering the streets near his home in Offerton and has even been known to stroll in to the local children’s football club.
His owner has now launched a GoFundMe to pay for Tosca’s looming vet bills, after the little cat was left dangerously injured in the vile attack.
It’s not yet known what injuries he sustained, or the severity of them, but he has been sent home in a stable condition with strong painkillers until he can have more tests.
The fundraising appeal has already raised £2,438 at the time of writing from hundreds of people who were touched by the story.
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Tosca is well-known around the local area, as his owner says the cat has ‘no sense of direction’ and crops up all over town – the What’s On Offerton Facebook group is filled with photos of his adventures.
Tosca’s owner wrote: “I’m looking for any help to get Tosca his treatments he needs to help with his recovery, after a group of kids held him down by his collar and took turns kicking him.
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“He was taken to Woodcroft veterinary hospital by a member of the public who stopped the attack. We aren’t expecting much, but any amount is seriously appreciated as we’ve been quoted £700 for his initial assessment.
“We are trying to find ways to make this cheaper , and asking animal charities to help as it’s classed as an animal abuse case.
Tosca the cat is a familiar face around Stockport. Credit: Facebook
“The police are involved and we are waiting on the cctv of the attack. Thank you for everyone’s concern it means a lot to us.”
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He then updated on Facebook: “Wow we are overwhelmed with everybodies kindness! He really has made friends with so many people on his outings.
“The money will defo help with the costs of his treatment & I will update tomorrow when I know more of what’s happening. But at the moment he is at home and stable, he’s got strong painkillers.
“Thanks again everyone. If anyone has any cameras who lives on Turncroft Lane could they check Saturday for roughly around 6pm Thankyou.”
He had previously updated that Tosca was ‘f***ed and likely going to die’.
Several members of a local community group have been sending messages of support to Tosca and his owner, with one writing: “The whole of Offerton is rooting for the little fella.”
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A spokesperson for GMP said: “On Saturday 1 July, Greater Manchester Police were made aware of an alleged attack on a cat which is believed to have taken place on Turncroft Lane, Stockport.
“The cat was taken to the vets, but it has since been discharged.
“GMP is working with the RSPCA to understand the circumstances.”
Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the fatal collision on Mancunian Way this morning.
We have referred ourselves to the IPOC after reports that the victim was possibly spotted on the carriageway earlier that morning.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) October 31, 2025
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
Paedophile who abused teenage girls twenty years ago has sentenced extended by five years after successful appeal
We’ve worked with the survivors and the CPS to take Christopher Oates’ unduly lenient sentence to the Court of Appeal. pic.twitter.com/4yfgjpWxCN
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Daisy Jackson -
3rd July 2023 
