News

The reason why Stockport station has been temporarily renamed to ‘Scottport’

No, don't worry, you weren't just seeing things.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 27th January 2025

Anyone passing through Stockport station this morning may have been a bit confused and potentially panicked that they got on the wrong train after seeing the name ‘Scottport’ out the window.

But fear not, they arrived at their destinations as intended and it wasn’t just a badly spelt new sign either – here’s why…

You may or may not have heard that North West broadcaster Zoe Ball recently finished her final show as the host of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show, having spent six years in the popular radio slot.

This Monday (27 January) was her replacement’s first day at work and if you haven’t already put two and two together, we’ll happily walk you the rest of the way there.

With fellow radio veteran Scott Mills being chosen as her replacement, the Eastleigh-born presenter made his debut as the new Breakfast Show host to kick off not only a new week but a new era – and to mark the occasion, Stockport railway station has changed its name for Scottport for the day.

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As far as we know, the former Radio 1 has no other connection to Greater Manchester or SK in particular, but the route does connect the BBC’s Broadcasting House in the capital to their Northern hub in MediaCityUK, Salford Quays.

Having stepped away from Radio 1 back in 2022 a whopping 24 years, Mills previously replaced Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2.

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The 51-year-old stood in for Ball back in September 2024 after she took a few weeks off which looks to have proven a more than worthy trial shift as he now takes over the early morning slot full-time.

Speaking from the Radio 2 helm for the first time, Mills began by saying: “As a radio presenter and a radio fan all my life, I’m still finding it quite hard to process that this is happening, if I’m honest.

“If I think too much about the previous occupiers of this show it becomes mind-blowing to me for a kid who wanted to be on the radio, but wasn’t sure he had the self-confidence to be able to actually do it.”

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This, of course, isn’t the first time a similar rail-related PR stunt like this has been carried out as Brighton train station famously changed its name to ‘Blyton’ last year as it welcomed back 14-year-old Paralympian, Bly Twomey, following her double bronze medal success.

Meanwhile, Trevor Nelson (who presented in the evenings from Monday to Thursday) will now replace Mills as the presenter of the 2-4pm weekday afternoon show from today onwards.

Not everyone has welcomed the change, however, as many listeners switched off within minutes of the latter’s first show after taking issue with his first song choice: ‘Rock DJ’ by Robbie Williams, who later came on the phone to congratulate him.

What do you make of the appointment – is Scott Mills a good fit and will you be listening?

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

Featured Images — El Pollock/Helen K (via Geograph)/@natewwlie (via X)

News

Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing

Emily Sergeant 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.

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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 Emily Sergeant Abusali Rahman mugshot

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).

Former Greater Manchester school supply teacher pleads guilty to several child sex offences

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.

GMP police car
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.

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“Any abuse of a position of authority is deplorable, and against children is especially heinous. I am glad he is now behind bars.”

Featured Image – GMP

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