A teen free climber from Wigan has been handed a suspended sentence after breaching injunction and continuing to risk his life by dangerously scaling tall buildings.
Adam Lockwood, 19 from Wigan – who has been described by a judge as “stupid” and “greedy” – was last week given a suspended sentence and narrowly avoided jail following his breach of an injunction order by which banned him from trespassing and posting the video content online.
His defence said YouTube was partly to blame for the teenager’s behaviour.
In July 2019, Manchester City Council secured a three year anti-social behaviour injunction order against Lockwood – which prohibited him from climbing buildings and cranes, riding on the exterior of buses, trams and trains and entering construction sites in England and Wales – and this was a result of him gaining notoriety online after posting videos of risking his life, and the lives of others, by hanging off the sides of buildings and cranes in Manchester.
Most recently, Lockwood grabbed headlines for scaling Arndale Food Court during a Black Lives Matter protest on 7th June, and then on 16th June, he dangled from the edge of a 600ft balcony at the Madison Building in London’s Canary Wharf.
ADVERTISEMENT
Video footage of both instances was uploaded to the internet.
Flickr
In mitigation, Lockwood’s solicitor said that “seeking celebrity and financial reward from YouTube” was the goal behind his client’s dangerous stunts.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said: “It’s all about YouTube hits – YouTube pay.”
District Judge Lindsay Clarke at Manchester County Court sentenced Lockwood to 12 weeks in prison (suspended for two years) and condemned his “”deliberate, knowing and wilful” breach of his order, especially given the fact that they were clearly premeditated and added that the promoting of his stunts during a pandemic was the “height of stupidity” motivated by “arrogance” and a “greed for celebrity.”
Lockwood was also ordered to pay costs of £255 – subject to an assessment of his means.
This instance is thought to be the first time in which anti-social behaviour legislation has been used to tackle free climbing behaviour of this kind.
You can find out more information via the Manchester City Council website here.
News
Alex Warren at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter and social media star Alex Warren is visiting Co-op Live, Manchester, for two nights of out of the ‘Ordinary’ live music.
One of the founding members of the TikTok group, the ‘Hype House’, which also included fellow pop performer Addison Rae, Warren has gone on to receive global recognition for his contributions to music.
Born in California, it’s no surprise his music has managed to catapult into the mainstream as he’s been mastering content creation since he was 10 on YouTube.
His music journey began back in 2021, when he released music as an independent artist in 2021 before signing a record deal one year later, dropping the chart-topping ‘Ordinary’ in 2025.
Now, Alex Warren prepares for his biggest UK tour to date, and he’s playing two shows right here in Manchester at the 23,500 seater Co-op Live in April and May.
Gig guide | Alex Warren at Co-op Live, Manchester – all you need to know
Alex Warren is visiting Manchester at Co-op Live on 27 April and 4 May / Credit: Press Shots (supplied)
Alex Warren UK tour dates
Fri 24 April – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Sun 26 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Mon 27 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 29 April – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Thu 30 April – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
Sat 2 May – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena
Mon 4 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 6 May – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Thu 7 May – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Are there tickets left for Alex Warren at Co-op Live?
If you’re looking for somebody to ‘Save You a Seat’, look no further as you can get tickets to Alex Warren’s 27 April at Co-op Live HERE.
And don’t find yourself in ‘Troubled Waters’, make sure you grab tickets for Alex Warren at Co-op Live on 4 May HERE.
Stage times for Alex Warren at Co-op Live, Manchester
Warren has built a cult following thanks to chart-topping hits like ‘Ordinary’ (Credit: Press shots)
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning you can still get home without ‘Chasing Shadows’.
Supporting Alex Warren on the night will be Claire Rosinkranz, a singer-songwriter from California with tracks like ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Backyard Boy’.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Family pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ found dead in Blackley tower block
Daisy Jackson
The family of a woman at the centre of a murder investigation, after she was found dead in a tower block, have paid a touching tribute to her.
Amber O’Brien, 33, was tragically discovered at an address in Blackley on Sunday 19 April, after police were called to reports of a disturbance.
A murder investigation was immediately launched – Stephan Garner, 31, of Somerton Court, Blackley, has been charged with her murder and remains in custody after appearing in court.
Now, Amber’s family have shared a moving tribute to ‘a beautiful soul’.
The family’s tribute reads: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Amber. Her passing has left us devastated, and she will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
“Amber was known for her warm smile and her natural ability to lift others up. She had a truly kind heart and made everyone around her feel valued and appreciated.
“She was a devoted daughter and sister, and a beautiful soul whose bright spirit brought joy, laughter, and comfort wherever she went.
“Our hearts are broken. Amber’s memory will live on with us forever.”
The Manc -
14th August 2020 
