An 81-year-old man has been sentenced to prison after attempting to rob an elderly woman’s home in broad daylight earlier this year.
Edwin Morrison, of Manchester Road in Worsley, was sentenced yesterday (15 April) at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to attempted robbery at an earlier hearing.
The incident in question occurred at around 11am on Tuesday 27 January, when Morrison knocked on the door of the 95-year-old woman’s home and told her he wanted to discuss the new bin collection date.
Without invitation, Morrison then stepped inside under the guise of ‘discussing things further’, and once inside the property, he proceeded to put his hands on the woman’s throat in an attempt to strangle her while repeatedly asking for her money and purse, before zip-tying her hands together, and grabbing and squeezing her throat further.
Thankfully, the victim’s hairdresser arrived at the property and entered the house, where she came across the scene and was alerted to call the police.
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Morrison then left the property, taking the keys and locking the front door behind him.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) immediately launched an investigation once they were called, with specialist officers attending the scene and completing forensic analysis of the home and room, before going on to conduct ‘comprehensive’ CCTV and ANPR enquiries which led them to Morrison’s address, where he was arrested.
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When Morrison was arrested and taken into custody for questioning, he provided no comment answers about the offence, and was later charged with his offence.
Morrison was this week sentenced to seven years in prison.
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Paul Davies, from GMP’s Salford district, said: “When this incident first came in, we were all shocked by the very nature of it, and we immediately launched a full investigation into the circumstances.
“It was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and Morrison’s actions of targeting a woman in her own home were shocking.
“Her resilience and strength following this vile crime have been truly inspirational and I am glad that the investigative team have been able to get her the justice she deserves.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Man charged after ‘serious assault’ of police officers in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged after several police officers were seriously assaulted in Manchester city centre earlier this week.
At around 4:55pm on Tuesday 12 May, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) city centre policing team were patrolling in the Denmark Road area of central Manchester when a man spat at a marked police vehicle as it drove past.
Officers stopped to speak with the man, but he then produced a knife and proceeded to attack them.
During the distressing incident, one officer was slashed in the face and neck and sustained serious injuries in the process, while two other officers were also assaulted and suffered minor injuries.
The offender – who GMP has now formally named as 40-year-old Dwayne Roxbrough – was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a bladed article, and possession of Class B drugs, and at this time, he remains in custody for questioning.
A man has been charged after police officers were ‘seriously assaulted’ in Manchester city centre/ Credit: GMP
It has now been confirmed that Roxbrough has been charged with Section 18 wounding, two counts of possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a controlled Class B drug, Section 47 assault, and the assault of an emergency worker.
He is due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court today (Thursday 14 May).
“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public and this was a violent and potentially life-threatening attack,” commented Detective Superintendent Ian McNabb, from GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“No one should go to work fearing violence and our officers are no exception.
“We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and will work tirelessly to ensure the offender is brought to justice.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Traders to move out of Manchester food hall as it pivots to ‘new chapter’
Daisy Jackson
Manchester food hall New Century will be closing its existing kitchens, it has announced, making way for a ‘new chapter’.
The New Century Kitchens are home to some top local food traders, including Parmogeddon’s Fricken concept, Wholesome Junkies, and Ply Pizza.
The food hall opened in 2022 as part of the iconic music venue’s rebirth, creating a modern mid-century space with six kitchens.
In the years since, it’s welcomed a rotation of amazing food offerings, including Hip Hop Chip Shop, Banh Vi, and Zumuku Sushi.
Now, New Century Kitchens has announced it will be ‘evolving’ to make live events part of the offering across the venue – not just upstairs in the main gig space.
That means that the traders currently based here will be moving out later this year, though the venue has assured people that they have been supported as they take their next steps.
Fans will still be able to visit New Century Kitchens in its current guise this summer, before its new chapter begins in autumn (but still some form of food and drink).
New Century said that music is in the building’s ‘DNA’ and this chapter will reflect that.
Current traders will be moving out of New Century KitchensNew Century is entering a ‘new chapter’
In a statement shared with The Manc, they said: “The ground floor at New Century is evolving. We are currently finalising plans for live events to become an even bigger part of our offering across the whole of the venue.
“As part of this evolution the current community of independent traders are moving onto exciting new chapters, and we have been working very closely with them to support all of these brilliant businesses in their next steps.
“Music is in the DNA of our iconic building and this new chapter will reflect that.
“New Century is a place for people to come together through entertainment and good hospitality and we’re looking forward to sharing more details soon.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th April 2026 
