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

Manchester locals appealing for more information over a month after from finding family member’s body

Danny Jones Danny Jones GMP appeal after body of Chorlton man found dead in bedroom

A Greater Manchester family are still calling for more information now over a month on from the discovery of a man’s body at his Chorlton home.

William Riddell, 49, was found dead in the bedroom of a property on Astbury Avenue at approximately 11:35pm on Sunday, 10 November after being found by his stepdaughter, Sarah Hayden.

Details surrounding his passing are still scarce but a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail “pending further enquiries”, leaving Sarah and the rest of her family still none the wiser as to the exact nature of his death.

Preparing to spend their first Christmas without him, they have issued a desperate appeal for more information, urging anyone who might have information to come forward.

Riddell, more commonly known as Billy by those close to him, was described as a “good, caring man with a big heart” and a popular figure in the local area.

Speaking via Greater Manchester Police, Sarah, said: “I want to be Billy’s voice and get answers for him. Billy was a nice and lovely man and all the community knew who he was. He was well-liked and we gave him a good send-off at his funeral.

“I would just ask anyone who knew him or has any information to come forward and tell police. Even if you think it’s a little or small thing – please come forward. We just want to get to the bottom of what has happened.”

Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, who serves on GMP‘s Major Incident Team, added in an official statement: “The family of Billy deserve answers following his death and we are working hard to ensure they get exactly that.

“We have closely supported Sarah and the wider family over the last month, and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can as they face their first Christmas without him.

“While a suspect has been bailed, we are still working flat-out to understand more about Billy’s life, the people he was close to, and events leading up to his death just over a month ago.”

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With that in mind, both GMP and Riddell’s family are asking anyone who might know anything or have information regarding people associated with Billy to come forward, reiterating that “even if you consider something to be small – your help could greatly benefit our investigation.”

You can contact police via 101 or by using the live chat function HERE, quoting log 3227 of 10/11/24.

Alternatively, you can contact the UK’s independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Police

Crime

Man jailed after robbing and throwing hot coffee over elderly man in Piccadilly Gardens

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man who robbed an elderly man in Piccadilly Gardens earlier this year, leaving him “disoriented”, has now been jailed.

Simon Quest appeared on trial at Bolton Crown Court this week.

The court heard how, on Thursday 6 June 2024, the 37-year-old robbed a man while he was walking through Piccadilly Gardens by following the victim on his bike, throwing a cup of coffee over him which caused him to fall over, and then proceeding to rummage through the victim’s pockets.

Quest managed to steal the victim’s phone before fleeing the area, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained.

Following this shocking incident, a police investigation was launched by detectives within GMP’s ‘Operation Vulcan’ team, and a short while later, Quest was then arrested in Piccadilly Gardens – with police recovering bolt cutters, Mercedes wheel locks, and a man bag from him.

Quest pleaded not guilty to the offence, but following a two-day trial at Bolton Crown Court, the jury found him guilty in just 18 minutes.

He has now been jailed for four years and six months for robbery. 

According to Detective Constable James Hayes, Quest had shown “no remorse for his deplorable actions throughout the entire process”.

“Our victim was left completely disoriented and was unable to defend himself, and Quest took this opportunity to steal his phone,” DC Hayes continued.

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“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to help the victim but also stayed at the scene to share witness statements with us, as their assistance and continued support have been crucial to securing this conviction.”

Featured Image – GMP

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