News

Police appeal for information after ‘serious sexual assault’ of a woman in Rochdale

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th December 2022

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has issued a public appeal for information after a woman was subject to a serious sexual assault in Rochdale.

The force says officers were called to reports of a serious sexual assault of a 25-year-old woman at a premises on Fleece Street in Rochdale town centre in the early hours of Sunday 11 December 2022, and they are now seeking the public’s help.

Police have released CCTV images of a man they are keen to trace, who they believe may be able to help the police with their enquiries.

“Can you help locate this man?” GMP calls on the public.

Giving further information on the situation, detective Sergeant Steven Gilliland from Rochdale CID said: “We firstly would like to thank the bravery of the victim in coming forwards and having the strength to help us with our enquiries.

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“We are extremely keen to speak to this man and to anyone who was in the Fleece Street area around 3.30am on Sunday 11 December 2022.”

GMP is also looking to speak to anyone who may have any other further relevant information.

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Anyone who recognises the man pictured and has any information on his whereabouts can contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 8719, or by calling 101.

You can also anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fleece Street in Rochdale town centre / Credit: Google Maps

GMP has also emphasised that if you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, the force encourages people not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so they can get the help and support available.

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Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women, and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester – with services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

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Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support, and counselling service, which you can call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]

Male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation can call Survivors Manchester for specialist trauma informed support on 0161 236 2182.

Featured Image – GMP

News

Jackass star Bam Margera cancels Manchester shows due to ‘injury’ after street fight video emerges

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bam Margera cancels Manchester shows at Gorilla

Former Jackass star Bam Margera has had to cancel both of his Manchester shows just hours before the first event was supposed to take place due to injury.

The skater, TV personality, filmmaker and former stunt performer is currently in the UK for his Q&A tour and live interview series with DJ and presenter Matt Stocks, having recently played in Glasgow and a pair of shows in the Republic of Ireland.

However, the 44-year-old has unexpectedly had to cancel both of his intimate conversation dates at Gorilla in the city centre, with the venue citing “unforeseen complications emerging from a recent injury”.

He was set to play this evening and again next week on Tuesday, 30 April, with the shows billed as somewhat of a meet and greet with Margera and him “talking from the heart”.

Gorilla Manchester has confirmed that they have had to cancel both Bam Margera shows this month.

The news comes less than 24 hours after Margera shared a clip of him on the phone complaining to police in the US after a video of him fighting on a street in LA surfaced online.

While details surrounding how the scrap arose and the identity of the other man in the video still remain scarce, Margera has officially claimed self-defence. He can be heard shouting several expletives in the man’s direction throughout the altercation.

Responding to what he called a ‘bum fight’ on his other Instagram page, he tells 911: “Get a police officer here. Los Angeles Police Department is fucking worthless…

“You should be ashamed of yourselves… It’s been two hours of us trying to sleep and, fucking, this dude’s throwing shit everywhere and nobody showed up.”

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Speaking to TMZ, a representative from his team reiterated that the unidentified male was the aggressor and eventually exited the situation with both parties leaving without injury at the time.

That being said, is still unclear as to whether the incident and the cancellation of his Gorilla shows in Manchester are linked.

Offering a separate statement directly, he added: “I’m not going to be threatened or attacked without defending myself and my friends or people trying to just walk by this idiot, I aimed only to neutralize the threat and ensure the safety of my crew.”

Bam’s rep told the outlet that the altercation ended with no injuries and the aggressor eventually departed and he is still yet to issue a response after calling off the remainder of his dates.

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

Featured Images — Bam Margera (via Instagram)

News

FA Cup final confirmed for 3pm kick-off time as Metropolitan Police stress safety for fans

Danny Jones Danny Jones 2024 FA Cup final kick off time confirmed for 3pm

The start time for the 2023/24 FA Cup final has officially been confirmed with holders Manchester City and challengers Manchester United set to kick off at 3pm on Saturday, 25 May.

It’s a Manc final for the second year running and yet another Manchester Derby this year as City beat Chelsea on penalties to try and defend one of their trophies from last season and Man United did just about enough to scrape through against Coventry City this past weekend.

Logistics and travel arrangements for the conclusion of last year’s FA Cup proved problematic, with the Metropolitan Police stressing that they needed the schedule brought forward to try and help curb crowd trouble – the first time the final had been reverted back to a traditional 3pm start since 2011.

Kick-off times for the knockout tournament have varied for the last three finals, having taken place at 4:45 and 5:15pm in the two years prior to 2023’s first-ever all-Manchester final, but it looks as though the same rationale has been put in place once again.

The kick-off time for the FA Cup final has been confirmed for 3pm.

As per an official statement by the FA, the final has now been officially confirmed as 3pm BST which has been agreed with local authorities, members of the Safety Advisory Group and broadcasters, as well as with the clubs who must take the time needed for fans to travel to and from Wembley into consideration.

While pockets of fighting broke out before and after the game last year, it was deemed that this time would still be the best kick-off time for all parties involved and there will, of course, be an increased police presence in London for the game next month.

Although prioritising safety comes as welcome news, it’ll no doubt prove to be a blow to broadcasters who prefer later kick-offs when eyeing up peak audience numbers; the game is also set to clash with ITV’s coverage of the rugby as the Investec Champions Cup final is also due to start at 2:45pm. 

With last season’s historic FA Cup final being the first time the two sides had met in the final in the entire history of the oldest competition in all of football, it rounded off a massive year of viewing figures for the tournament which has continued to hit record numbers in 2024.

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The game will once again be shown live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and ITV1; ITVX, UTV, as well as STV, and there will no doubt be huge screenings of the game all over Greater Manchester, where an increased police presence is also expected.

With Man City having dropped out of the Champions League, this year’s FA Cup final could see them defend the first of their treble for last season. As for their fierce and historic rivals, this is the second year in a row that both United’s men’s and women’s teams have made it to their respective FA Cup finals.

Is it going to be back-to-back FA Cups for the Blues or are the Reds going to make it two trophies in Erik ten Hag’s first two seasons?

Featured Images — @brentflanders (via Flickr)/FA Cup (via X)

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