News
Man charged in connection with broad daylight murder of 51-year-old woman in Tameside last year
He has been remanded in a secure mental health hospital.
A man has been charged in connection with the tragic murder of 51-year-old woman in Tameside last year.
Michelle Hodgkinson had been walking along Edge Lane in the Droylsden area of Tameside on Friday 2 June 2023 when she was approached by a male and stabbed to death in broad daylight.
The 51-year-old had was said to have just been going about her day, and was walking to meet her mum so that she could take her shopping when the horrific incident occurred, and although emergency services rushed to the scene, despite their best efforts, she was pronounced dead a short while later.
Michelle was described as “amazing, loving, selfless, and funny” by her family in an emotional tribute shortly following her passing.
She was a daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie, and most recently, a nana.
But now, following a lengthy investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Major Incident Team, a man has been charged with murder in connection with Michelle’s death.
Paul Hughes, 29, was yesterday (Tuesday 7 May) charged with murder, GMP has confirmed, and he has been remanded in a secure mental health hospital, where he remains under treatment.
He will next appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates court on Thursday 6 June.
Commenting on the charging of Mr Hughes, Detective Inspector Danny Lee, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, took a moment to stress to the Greater Manchester public that Michelle’s death is a “very rare type of incident”.
DI Lee explained: “We understand this tragedy may have increased the community concerns in relation to knife crime, but we would like to stress this is a very rare type of incident. However, at the heart of this incident, a loved one has been torn away, and our thoughts remain with Michelle’s family, whom we continue to support with specialist officers.”
Following Mr Hughes’ charging, GMP has also reissued its public appeal for information, and is urging any witnesses to come forward.
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Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 1353 of 02/06/2023, or information can be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
TfGM issues statement as ‘essential’ work begins on three major Metrolink lines across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Passengers are being urged to plan ahead as no trams will be running on three major Greater Manchester lines for the next two weeks.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now issued a statement on the ‘essential’ works being carried out.
If you need bringing up to speed a little, as part of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network, essential improvement work is being carried out on three major Metrolink lines across the region in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable for passengers’ for years to come.
This means that from today (Monday 19 October) through to Sunday 1 November, tram improvement works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield, and Trafford Bar.
Additional works will also take place in the city centre during this time, allowing TfGM to keep closures of the tram network to a minimum.
During the dates above, no trams will run on the Altrincham, Trafford Centre, and Eccles lines.
A number of shuttle bus services will the running over the course of the two-week closure, however – with services arriving every 10 or 15 minutes, depending on the line, and you can find a full list of these here.
But despite the alternative services, widespread disruption is still expected for hundreds of people.
TfGM has issued a statement on the works being carried out, and offered support to anyone who may need it: “This is essential work that will help keep our tram network safe, reliable and fit for the future. We’re sorry for the disruption and we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure people can still get around while it’s taking place.
“We’ve listened carefully to feedback from customers during previous closures and have introduced more direct shuttle buses between key locations and extra buses on local Bee Network routes.
“If you use any of the affected lines, now is the time to check your travel plans.
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“We’d encourage everyone to visit the Bee Network website or app before travelling so they can see the options available to them and allow extra time where necessary.”
Services will resume on these lines from start of service on Monday 2 November.
However there will be some minor route changes through the city centre in place from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November, so it’s important to check your journey before you travel.
Featured Image – TfGM
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.
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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)
Emily Sergeant -
8th May 2024 
