Crime

Man who was ‘on the run’ for eight years charged with murder after Urmston shooting in 2015

A long time coming.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th January 2024

A man who has been “on the run” for has finally been tracked-down and charged with a murder that happened more than eight years ago.

Abdul Ahsan, of no fixed abode, has been charged with murder in relation to the death of Andre Marshall in the Trafford town of Urmston all the way back in 2015.

Enquiries by the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers initially investigating the incident identified the 27-year-old as a suspect, and proceeded to circulate him as ‘wanted’ in 2015 – and now finally, after being on the run for eight years, Ahsan was tracked down to Pakistan and was subsequently extradited in a joint effort by UK and Pakistan authorities.

He was escorted back to the UK by officers from the Joint International Crime Centre (JICC) on Tuesday 16 January 2024, GMP has confirmed, and has been remanded in custody.

Ahsan will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 17 January 2024).

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The charges placed on Ahsan come after Andre Marshall’s body was found at 7:26 am on Wednesday 20 May 2015 in the parking area of Manor Park, in Urmston, before it was was later established that he had sadly died from “multiple gunshot wounds”.

Two people have already been sentenced for their involvement in Andre’s murder.

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On Thursday 19 May 2016, 26-year-old Danial Shahid was found guilty of assisting an offender following a trial at Manchester Crown Court, and was sentenced to four years in prison, while 29-year-old Kadell Rivers pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and possession of an offensive weapon at an earlier hearing, and on the same day, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

“This charge is an important development in the investigation into the death of Andre Marshall,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand, of GMP’s Major Incident Team.

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“On behalf of our investigation team, I would like to thank our colleagues in the National Crime Agency and also the Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the UK Crown Prosecution Service who have all jointly worked together to facilitate this progress in our investigation.

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“GMP continues the pursuit to finding justice for Andre’s family.”

Featured Image – GMP

Crime

‘Rogue’ Newton Heath corner shop illegally selling fireworks and tobacco closed by Council

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A Manchester corner shop which became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour has been forced to close by the Council.

Following several months of investigation into a string of alleged crimes and wrongdoing traced back to the premises, Manchester City Council successfully secured a Closure Order against Ash News and Booze, on Culcheth Lane in the Newton Heath area of Manchester – forcing the shop to close with immediate effect.

Some of the allegations levelled against the premises included drug dealing taking place outside, littering, anti-social use of e-bikes, and other forms of anti-social behaviour.

On top of this, the Council’s Trading Standards Team, alongside officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) attended the shop to conduct a search on 7 November, during which they found fireworks on sale, illicit tobacco, as well as a canister of PAVA-style incapacitant – often known as CS gas.

This was despite the premises not being licensed to legally sell fireworks, leading to the fireworks and tobacco subsequently being seized by the Council.  

Ash News & Booze in Newton Heath, before it was closed by the Council / Credit: Google Maps

Police have separately made several arrests relating to drugs offences connected to the premises. 

During a hearing held on Thursday (14 November) at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, the owner of the premises claimed they were unaware of the alleged drug dealing or other criminal offences taking place, nor were they aware a licence was required to sell fireworks. 

Following the hearing, the shop will have to remain closed for a three-month period – with no one allowed to enter for any reason, other than the Council, the emergency services, or the owners. 

“We know how unpleasant it can be to experience anti-social behaviour,” said Councillor Garry Bridges, who is the Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, after the hearing.

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“With Miles Platting and Newton Heath one of the areas most affected by anti-social behaviour and the proliferation of fireworks, we believe this closure sends a clear message to any other premises which engage in this irresponsible manner.”

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

Crime

Murder investigation launched after two fatal stabbings in Moss Side

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A murder investigation has now been launched following two fatal stabbings in Moss Side this past weekend.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called to reports that two people that had suffered stab wounds on Great Southern Street, in the Moss Side area of Manchester, at around 5am yesterday morning (17 November), and when they arrived at the scene, two men were treated for their injuries.

Despite the best efforts of all emergency services involved, the two men were sadly both pronounced dead at the scene.

Since the shocking incident, a man who was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene earlier yesterday has now been detained under the Mental Health Act after being assessed by medical professionals, GMP has confirmed.

Initial inquires are currently ongoing, and police say they believe that the suspect and one of the victims were known to each other.

GMP say they are treating this as an isolated incident with “no threat to the wider public”.

“We have launched a murder investigation, and detectives from our Major Incident Team continue to work diligently conducting CCTV trawls and speaking to witnesses to find out what has happened to the victims,” explained Chief Superintendent David Meeney, who is the District Commander for the City of Manchester division.

“We swiftly made an arrest and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this.

“We understand the shockwaves that this devastating news will have caused in the local community and further afield across Greater Manchester.

“We have placed a number of local neighbourhood officers in the area to conduct visible patrols to reassure the community. If you have any concerns, please speak to them, they are there to lend a listening ear.

“I’d like to thank the local community who have all really pulled together and cooperated with our enquiries.”

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Chief Superintendent Meeney asked that anyone who has information that may be able to assist enquiries to get in touch police, adding: “Please don’t assume that we know already, any small piece of information may be vital for our Major Incident Team detectives to find out what happened.”

Anyone with any information should contact GMP on 101 quoting 553 of 17/11/24.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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