The family of Yousef Makki have won their appeal to the High Court for a fresh inquest into the teenager’s death.
After months of waiting for a verdict, the Makki family were today told that judges have quashed the judgement, and that their campaign for a fresh inquest has succeeded – with Lady Justice Macur and Mr Justice Fordham having handed down their ruling at the High Court in Manchester.
The judges have now ordered a new inquest before a different coroner.
The verdict comes after 17-year-old Yousef Makki, who was a scholarship student at Manchester Grammar School, was tragically stabbed to death by Joshua Molnar with a flick knife – which the coroner said was purchased online with ease “during break time at school” – during a row they had in the Hale Barns area of Trafford back on the evening of 2 March 2019.
Molnar claimed self-defence and was cleared by a jury at Manchester Crown Court of murder and manslaughter.
He was jailed for 16 months for the possession of a knife in a public place and for perverting the course of justice by lying to police at the scene.
Yousef Makki’s family win appeal for second inquest into his death / Credit: Family Handout
But Makki’s family has consistently described this previous conclusion as “disgusting”.
Back in May 2022, a judge granted permission for a full judicial review into the inquest, and then in early November last year, the teenager’s family asked the High Court for a fresh inquest into his death, arguing that because the standard of proof in a criminal trial is “beyond reasonable doubt”, they believe that “on the balance of probabilities”, the coroner could conclude Makki was unlawfully killed.
Peter Weatherby KC, who was representing the family at a judicial review hearing at the High Court in Manchester back in November, also questioned the “fanciful” version of events that were presented as having happened on the night.
Yousef Makki, 17, was stabbed to death in Hale Barns on 2 March 2019 / Credit: GMP
Mr Weatherby said there were “discrepancies” between evidence heard at the trial and the inquest.
He raised the point that during inquest, Molnar said he was not sure who produced the knife first, but had told the jury in his trial that Makki took his knife out first and he claimed self-defence – which also led Mr Weatherby to questioning the version of events directly after the stabbing.
“Unless there was some terrible accident or unless Yousef Makki put him in fear, this was an unlawful killing and the coroner simply fails to address those issues in her decision,” Mr Weatherby said.
Featured Image – Greater Manchester Police
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‘Eyesore’ Northern Quarter car park to be redeveloped as ambitious new neighbourhood
Emily Sergeant
An underused multi-storey car park in the heart of the city centre is set to be sold and redeveloped as an ‘ambitious’ new neighbourhood.
The ‘eyesore’ car park situated in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter will be transformed into what Manchester City Council is hoping will become a green and sustainable neighbourhood set to complement the ‘unique and independent’ ethos of the area.
It comes after developers CBRE were appointed by the Council last year to market the Church Street site for disposal, ahead of seeking formal planning permission.
The new scheme will deliver more than 300 new homes – including 60 affordable homes – alongside new commercial opportunities and high-quality public spaces.
A before and proposed after of Church Street Car Park / Credit: Manchester City Council
It’s expected that the development will respect the heritage and architecture of the historic city centre neighbourhood and help to enhance the wider area, all while improving a car park site that has long fallen out of favour.
The new neighbourhood will also feature four new public squares and green spaces, along with opportunities for pedestrianising the surrounding streets as part of the public realm.
As mentioned, commercial space is also part of the plans, as the ground floor of the building will offer a mix of smaller, more affordable units to ensure local independent businesses can access the neighbourhood, alongside units for food and beverage outlets.
“For too long, the Church Street car park has been an eyesore and a barrier to the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“We want to bring forward a world-class development that has the potential to completely transform this part of the neighbourhood, together with the newest city centre public squares and green spaces.”
The final legal negotiations will conclude over the summer, and it’s expected that a public consultation will then take place to inform a future planning application.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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‘Major milestone’ as planning permission secured to transform Oldham town centre
Emily Sergeant
Planning permission has been granted for six transformational sites in Oldham town centre, with developers calling it a ‘major milestone’.
This approval marks a key step forward in Muse Places and Oldham Council‘s long-term partnership with a shared ambition to deliver a ‘vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable’ town centre that not only reflects Oldham’s heritage but also meets the needs of the people who live there.
Following ‘extensive consultation’ with the local community earlier this year, where hundreds of people took park and shared valuable feedback to help shape the proposals, a total of 1,619 new homes will be delivered as part of the plans, offering a mix of high-quality, energy-efficient apartments designed for families, older people, and young professionals.
The plans also include social and affordable housing provision too in a bid to help more local people find a home that suits their needs and circumstances.
According to the Council and developers, the approved plans will bring underused sites back into ‘productive’ use and support a ‘cleaner, greener’ future for Oldham, opening the door to new opportunities for local businesses and communities alike.
“This decision marks a key milestone in delivering on our promises for Oldham,” commented Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Council.
Planning permission has been secured to transform Oldham town centre / Credit: Muse Places
“Oldham Council and Muse have a shared, ambitious vision to create a quality place that people genuinely want to spend time in.
“I am thrilled that we can continue moving forward with our plans, delivering high-quality homes, including the provision of social and affordable homes to meet local needs. We will also support local businesses and create opportunities for everyone, as part of a clean, green and sustainable future.
“Together, we are creating a place that we can all be proud of.”
Site investigation works are now complete at the Civic Centre, and works at Prince’s Gate will begin shortly, followed by the former Magistrates’ Court later this year.
With planning consent secured and preparatory works underway, construction at Prince’s Gate is expected to begin this autumn.
Emily Sergeant -
20th January 2023 
