News

Police re-appeal for information on alleged sexual assault at Harry Styles gig in Manchester last year

An image of a man officers would "like to identify" has now been released.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 27th June 2023

Police are re-appealing for information on a sexual assault that was alleged to have happened at a Harry Styles gig in Manchester last year.

An image of a man officers would “like to identify” has now been released.

As it called on the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 8:30pm on Wednesday 15 June 2022, a woman was “approached from behind by a man who reportedly sexually assaulted her” while attending a Harry Styles gig at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

The force says it has already utilised “several lines of enquiry” since receiving the initial reports of the assault and putting out its first appeal, but is now hoping to “seek fresh information”.

GMP says it has released the new image of the man they would like to identify as they believe he could “assist with their investigation”.

ADVERTISEMENT

Detective Constable Grace O’Rourke, of GMP’s Trafford division, said the new appeal has been launched to “ensure we get justice for the victim”, and assured that the force “always” looks to “take a robust approach to these kinds of reports”.

She added: “We will continue to investigate and we are asking anyone with any information to please get in touch with us.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Anyone with any information or mobile phone footage from the area at the time of the alleged incident is asked to contact GMP by calling 0161 856 7756 and quoting crime reference number CRI/06MM/0009904/22, or reporting online via www.gmp.police.uk.

Read more:

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

News

Man United broadcaster FlexUTD responds after suffering ‘awful’ racist abuse on camera

Danny Jones Danny Jones FlexUTD responds after racist abuse by woman in post-match video Man United

Manchester United content creator, YouTuber and digital presenter, FlexUTD, has shared a disappointed but defiant response following a racist incident captured during a video after the game this weekend.

Flex – real name Flex Alexander – is a familiar face among Man United fans and a well-known personality across the online English football culture, having previously worked with another popular fan channel in The United Stand before founding his own brand, United View.

Whilst recording his regular post-match analysis outside Old Trafford after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, the social media influencer was interrupted by a woman and fellow United supporter.

After seemingly giving someone a quick shout-out, she then proceeds to wander out of frame before appearing to utter a racial slur off-camera in the form of an offensive twist on the fan base’s famous anti-Glazer chant.

racist woman on man united fan cam
racist abuse united view
Credit: United View (via YouTube)

In the video shared to the official YouTube channel, he is visibly stunned by the racist outburst and members of the crew behind the camera can also be heard asking, “Did you just see what I think you said?”, adding “There’s always one or two.”

The identity of the female United fan is still unknown and although her face remains blurred for legal reasons, Flex himself did come out on social media to ask people to “find this woman” in order for the club to identify her and the authorities to punish her accordingly.

Still taken aback by the racial slur, Flex simply goes on to describe the off-hand abuse as “crazy” before insisting that the moment will be staying the full edit so as not to let the incident go unnoticed.

Ever since the video was released, other Reds, football fans and content creators alike have been sharing their support online.

One person wrote, “It’s 2024 and we’re still seeing people saying racist things and they think they can get away with it. Hope Flex gets justice for this.”, while another tagged the club and added: “Can’t be having these type of fans enter the stadium.”

Flex has since responded online in a separate video, thanking people for their heartfelt messages, but despite assuring that he has a “thick skin”, he quite rightly went on to add that people of colour shouldn’t have to deal with that kind of intolerable behaviour and he is simply “tired”.

Read more:

Retired striker and former United coach Benni McCarthy also reached out online to offer some kind words, writing: “Hi mate, hope you [are] ok. That was absolutely unnecessary and you shouldn’t have to deal with such behaviour. Stay strong bro and behind you all the way.”

The club themselves are yet to issue a statement regarding the incident but with both current players and former staff responding, it likely won’t be long before the individual is identified and issued with a ban. United had to deal with similar incidents regarding racism and homophobia last season.

It goes without saying that we condemn discrimination in all its forms; our thoughts go out to Flex and everyone else affected by the incident and hope the incident is dealt with swiftly. The beautiful game is for everyone and there’s no room for racism in any walk of life. #KickItOut.

You can watch Flex’s full video addressing the situation, in which he urged people to “stay strong, keep fighting” and “stick together”, down below:

FlexUTD’s full response following the appalling racist incident on 4/11/2024.

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

Featured Images — United We Stand (via YouTube)/FlexUTD (via X)

News

Family pays tribute to ‘big family man’ found dead 10 days after going missing

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Tributes have been paid to David Edmonds after his body was found. Credit: GMP

The family of a man who was found dead in Wigan 10 days after he was reported missing have now paid a touching tribute to him.

David Edmonds, 55, has been described by his loved ones as a ‘big family man’ who loved sports, travel and his family.

David had been missing for nine days after last being seen in the Bodmin Drive area of Platt Bridge at around 11pm on Sunday 20 October.

Tragically after extensive searches, on Wednesday 30 October police found a body, later confirmed as David.

His wife has now released a statement on behalf of his family, describing him as a ‘happy chap’ who was well-loved by his family, friends and colleagues.

She said: “He was a hard worker and worked all his life. His first job was with his father at a local factory, and he worked there from a young age up until recently.

“He was a big Everton supporter and loved going to the matches. He held season tickets since he was a child. David liked all sports and watching anything with a ball, cricket, football, and rugby, especially Wigan rugby.

“He also liked horse racing; we would go to the races in York every year.

“He loved going on holiday and we travelled a lot together, we went to Australia, New York, Tenerife, and Benidorm.

“David was a big family man and adored his three nephews. He will be missed by all of us, he was so loved.

“We would like to thank the police and everyone who shared appeals on social media or went out searching for David.”

David’s family have asked for privacy whilst they grieve his loss.

Read more

Featured image: GMP

More News

Boroughs

Andy Burnham calls for ‘efficient and reliable’ public transport as he slams Northern rail services

Kendal Calling has revealed its 2025 festival line-up. Credit: Nat Argent

Audio

Kendal Calling drops massive line-up for 2025 festival, including Courteeners and The Prodigy

Northern Rail still uses fax machines

Manchester

Northern Rail confess that they still use fax machines to contact train crews

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches