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

Fan charged over tragedy chanting during Manchester United vs Burnley match

Danny Jones Danny Jones Burnley fan charged with tragedy chanting at Old Trafford

A man from Lancashire has been charged for tragedy chanting during the game between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford this weekend.

Nathan Rawlinson from the town of Bacup in the Rossendale Borough was charged with Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 and has since been bailed after being detained.

The 44-year-old was arrested by Greater Manchester Police’s Specialist Operational Football investigation team after he was reported tragedy chanting in the away section of Old Trafford on Saturday, 27 April.

Videos of the Burnley fan which have since been largely removed began circulating online not long after the full-time whistle of the 1-1 draw, with various accounts urging GMP and fans to help identify him.

Credit: X (various)

Issuing a statement following the incident, authorities said: “As we have enforced recently, continued incidents of tragedy chanting by anyone will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.

“We understand the interest this case will have generated but it is imperative that the suspect has a fair trial so members of the public must refrain from engaging in conversations online, at least until proceedings have concluded. Previously circulated videos should be removed.”

As for Burnley FC themselves, the club issued a swift response, stating: “We are aware of offensive footage currently circulating on social media from the away end of today’s fixture at Old Trafford.

“Tragedy-related gesturing and chanting is completely unacceptable, and Burnley Football Club take a zero-tolerance approach. We will continue to work with Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police and Manchester United to help identify and prosecute the individuals responsible.”

They have since reiterated their zero-tolerance policy in a follow-up post to supporters, assuring assistance in ‘every way possible’.

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Sadly, despite urges from clubs like Man United and Liverpool, tragedy chanting continues to be a prevailing problem up and down the country and there have been numerous instances in 2024 already.

A dedicated Premier League was set up in 2023 to try and curb the behaviour, working with supporter groups, local police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

New and harsher measures have been put in place this season to crack down on the behaviour and people found guilty of offences can face stadium bans, criminal prosecution and even jail time.

It has no place in football, simple as.

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Featured Images — X (various)

Crime

Victim identified in Kersal murder investigation as more remains are found in Salford

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man identified Kersal murder after more remains found in Salford

Police have ‘confidently’ confirmed the identity of a man murdered in Salford after more remains were found as part of the investigation into a male torso discovered in a nearby nature reserve, with other body parts since located at another two nearby spots.

The victim, now believed to be a man in his 60s, was initially discovered in Kersal Wetlands after a passerby stumbled across the remains on 4 April, with police setting up a forensic tent and a large cordon around the area.

Having swept the surroundings and acted on further intelligence, more human remains were also found at Blackleach Reservoir in Walkden and a local dog walker also found a package containing body parts at Linnyshaw Colliery Woods on Saturday evening (27 April).

It is thought that the identity of the latest body parts should be fully confirmed this week following further forensic tests but the authorities have now contacted the victim’s next of kin.

The as-yet-unknown man is said to have died a number of days before his torso was discovered at the start of the month and multiple individuals have been arrested in connection to the case over the last few weeks.

A 20-year-old man from the local area was brought in for questioning just four days after the initial discovery, along with a 42-year-old who was detained after he boarded a bus earlier last week and a 68-year-old who was arrested at a property in Winton.

Searches were also carried out at a Warehouse in Bury with household items being found there. Greater Manchester Police say they still have two people, both thought to be known to the victim, in custody.

Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for the case, issued a full statement to the media this weekend, insisting that GMP are “very confident that this is also the victim in our investigation.

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He also went on to reveal that authorities are also searching the house in Winton as it is thought to be “where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived”, with evidence also indicating that he is likely to have died there sometime in late March.

DSI Hughes went on to add: “While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation.

“I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond – including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man’s heartbroken family.

“Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.”

Featured Images — GMP/David Dixon

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