Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has reopened an investigation into the death of a man who died as a result of an assault over 10 years ago.
On Christmas Eve all the way back in 2011, 32-year-old Ashley McGurk – who was known locally as Ashley Thomas, and was from the Harpurhey area – was seriously assaulted in an unprovoked attack whilst walking home from a party near to Harpurhey shopping precinct, and was sadly left in a coma for several months.
As a result of the attack, Ashley was left severely brain damaged and was living in a care home in Rochdale, before he eventually passed away on 8 January 2021.
After an extensive report from the pathologist has confirmed that the assault 10 years ago proved to be the cause of Ashley’s devastating death, GMP has confirmed it has reopened the matter as a murder investigation
People are now being urged to come forward with any information.
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#APPEAL The family of a man who died as a result of an assault 10 years ago are urging people to come forward as the investigation has been reopened. On Christmas Eve 2011, Ashley McGurk, known locally as Ashley Thomas, 32, was seriously assaulted in Harpurhey and left in a coma. pic.twitter.com/U3wsKJpGSe
“Visiting my own son every day in his care facilities was absolutely heartbreaking to see and cope with for 10 long years and to know we still don’t have justice so many years on is so devastating,” Ashley’s mother said in a tribute.
“Both Ashley and his family deserve justice, which is why I would ask anyone to come forward with information.
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“We want this nightmare to end once and for all.”
GMP say that three arrests were made at the time of the incident, and two males were released with no further action taken, with one male being charged – but the case ended up being dismissed by the court.
Ashley Thomas was seriously assaulted in an unprovoked attack whilst walking home from a party in 2011 / Credit: GMP
Speaking on the reopening of the investigation, Detective Sergeant Paddy Connell – from the City of Manchester Division CID – said: “This was a devastating incident for Ashley’s family and we believe there will be people in the local area with information about the reported assault at the time that may be able to help Ashley’s family get the justice they deserve.
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“Ashley suffered such horrific injuries that he spent the last 10 years of his life in care facilities and was regularly visited by his mother who has suffered unimaginable emotional pain since the assault and has visited him every day over the last 10 years.”
We believe someone out there knows something and we're urging anyone with information to get in touch – even if it's anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Full story here: https://t.co/5OpDSnCFtE
Sergeant Connell also urged anyone with any information, “no matter how small it may seem”, to contact police.
“Someone out there will know something,” he said.
People can contact GMP on 0161 856 4409 quoting crime reference number CRI/06A1/0001614/21, or get in touch anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd February 2022 
