Nine teenagers have been re-arrested on suspicion of murder as the investigation into the death of Kennie Carter ‘gathers pace’.
16-year-old Kennie was stabbed in the chest in Stretford in January, and died shortly afterwards in hospital.
The fatal stabbing, which police say sent ‘shockwaves through the community’, took place on Thirlmere Avenue just before 7pm on Saturday 22 January.
Kennie was described by his family as being a ‘cheeky chappy’ whose death left a ‘massive hole’ in their lives.
Police have announced today that nine teenagers, aged between 13 and 17, were re-arrested on 14 June on suspicion of murder.
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Thirlmere Avenue in Stretford, the street where Kennie Carter was fatally stabbed.
Eight have been re-bailed while one remains in custody.
Kennie’s family are being kept updated on the investigation and supported by specialist officers.
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Their tribute to their son said: “Kennie was our youngest , our baby, our cheeky chappy with baby blue eyes. His death has left a massive hole in our lives and our family has been destroyed. We will never have the opportunity to see him growing up and having a family of his own.
“Each day when we wake the house feels empty; we can’t hear his footsteps, his voice or his music. We cannot believe how generous people have been, even people that don’t know us or Kennie directly.
“We want to ask the community to provide as much information as they can to the police so that the person responsible is brought to justice. Young lives like Kennie’s are being lost far too often and this has to stop.”
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The Major Incident Team have spoken to over 50 people, collated in excess of 100 hours of CCTV and executed over a dozen warrants.
Detective Chief Inspector Alicia Smith, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Kennie’s death sent shockwaves through the community and has left a family still trying to come to terms with their loss of their loved one.
“Kennie was just 16 and had his whole life ahead of him and ever since that evening, our investigation has continued. Yesterday’s arrests are all part of our continued work to get the Kennie’s family the answers they desperately need.
“Anyone can contact us with information – no matter how insignificant it may seem – on 0161 856 9908 quoting incident 2529 of 22/01/2022 or to our online portal here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP22S43-PO1.
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“Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Featured image: GMP
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Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Cllr Craig said that the return of Council-organised firework displays is ‘building up for a spectacular 2026.’
More information on their return is set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)
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Super League ‘Rivals Round’ fixtures confirmed, with two big North West clashes
Danny Jones
The Betfred Super League (BSL) ‘Rivals Round’ games for 2026 have been confirmed, with two big regional clashes coming in time for the spring.
Returning for 2026, the annual meeting of multiple teams coming up against their fiercest and most historic rivals will land on round seven of the calendar over the traditional Easter weekend.
Despite the competition having sadly lost Salford Red Devils following their forced relegation, local rugby fans will still be glad to see the borough of Wigan, as well as neighbouring Cheshire and nearby Merseyside clubs, coming up against each other in what is a highly anticipated fixture on the calendar.
Announcing the now fully confirmed matches this week, the total of seven matches are set to be played between Friday, 3 April and the following Sunday, 5 April.
In the Super League’s own words, there are few gameweeks more box office than the Rivals Round – “where the games mean more, hit harder and have the ability to divide towns and families.”
After the inaugural edition of the modern round in 2021, this year saw the division record a best-ever attendance of 86,080 across a six-match period, and with an extra game being played next season, we’re expecting more ground to be broken.
“The most intense and historic rivalries will go head-to-head with huge crowds anticipated, emotions running high and everyone expected to bring their A game”, say the BSL.
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights – Saturday, 4 April
Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity – Sunday, 5 April
One of the most notable exclusions among the slate, of course, is that of Salford Red Devils, as various players and staff members continue to leave the club during this increasingly concerning and deep period of uncertainty.
Salford supporters have given a clear response following the decisive drop in IMG gradings:
Although they are now longer in rugby league’s premier domestic tier, Salford are still expected to take part in the Challenge Cup tournament, which begins in January.
Betfred and the RFL revealed the most recent ties on Monday, 24 November, with the Devils due to face either Royal Navy Rugby or Hammersmith Hills Hoists in the second round.
Meanwhile, with the new campaign kicking off in February, rugby fans will only have to wait a couple of months to witness the upcoming instalments in the various rivalries.
Safe to say it’s going to be a spicy Easter break.
Daisy Jackson -
15th June 2022 
