Oldham

‘Think twice’ before travelling to Turkey for surgery, warn family whose loved one died alone

Leanne died after undergoing a gastric sleeve operation.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th July 2023

The family of a woman who died after travelling to Turkey for a gastric sleeve surgery have warned people to ‘think twice’ before doing the same.

Leanne Michelle Leary, 38, flew out to Istanbul to undergo the weight loss operation, which would reduce the size of her stomach.

But the mum-of-three from Oldham tragically died less than 24 hours after having the surgery on the 1 July.

A GoFundMe has now been set up to pay for Leanne’s funeral and to help her three children – 16-year-old Kyle, 14-year-old Caitlin, and nine-year-old Keavey.

Leanne’s husband Steven said that she believed the surgery was ‘absolutely safe’ after researching packages in Turkey, the Manchester Evening News reports.

ADVERTISEMENT

She chose to undergo the operation believing it would give ‘quality of life to herself and her children’.

On the family’s fundraising page, she’s described as ‘the most caring and compassionate person you would ever wish to meet’.

ADVERTISEMENT

It also stated: “In order to support someone you need to invest in that person, so let me tell you about Leanne Michelle. She was the first person everyone went to for support and she is well known in the community for supporting others going through a hard time and we would often see posts on Facebook asking for support for women and children who needed help to restart their life.

“Leanne had a open heart, open arms and ears and listened and supported anyone who needed to be heard. Leanne was loyal, hardworking and the most loving person you could ever wish to meet and her friends and family would echo that sentiment.

“Please can you help us to raise £10,000 to support her family to lay her to rest and for her children to start a new life without her. It’s not going to be easy for 3 children or her family and friends to move on as she has left a huge void, but we know that you will want to support a woman who supported everyone who asked for help. Thank you for reading this and we hope that we have touched your heart enough to help us.”

ADVERTISEMENT

You can donate to the GoFundMe page here.

Featured image: GoFundMe

Oldham

Police officer who sexually assaulted a child while on duty sacked

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A ‘morally reprehensible’ police officer who sexually assaulted a child while on duty has been sacked and barred from service.

GMP held an accelerated misconduct hearing with PC Dean Dempster, 35, and he has been dismissed without notice.

The disgraced officer admitted ‘sexually touching’ the six-year-old child in December 2023 and is set to be sentenced at a later date.

He was a response officer in Oldham at the time that the offence was reported, and was arrested by a supervisor when he returned to work the next day.

A senior officer has now said that Dempster ‘has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public’.

Another said it was ‘among the most distressing cases ever presented’ and a ‘despicable betrayal’ of police duties.

Dempster was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl while responding to an incident on 29 December 2023.

He was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court in February and remained suspended since being charged at the end of last year.

Presiding over today’s hearing, CC Watson found PC Dempster’s conduct amounted to gross misconduct, saying: “This sexual assault occurred whilst the officer was on duty and where the victim was totally trusting and reliant on him performing his duties professionally, compassionately and with her welfare uppermost in his thoughts.

“It is this most egregious breach of trust of an innocent young child that is most upsetting aspect of this case and something that clearly amounts to an aggravating factor.

“I consider this case to be among the most distressing ever presented to me such is the despicable betrayal of all that is inherent in being a decent police officer.

“I have no hesitation whatsoever in dismissing PC Dempster from the service with immediate effect.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “Dean Dempster is not a police officer, he’s a child sex offender who has no right to be in police uniform or in a position to serve the public.

“We have no time for people like Dempster who should not be in GMP and does not represent us.

“This is why we’re increasingly using accelerated misconduct hearings to root out and boot out officers who are unfit to serve in our uniform, and this work will continue while ever they remain.”

Dempster has been added to the College of Policing Barred List by Chief Constable Stephen Watson, who described Dempster’s actions as ‘morally reprehensible’.

GMP used accelerated proceedings as part of its pledge to ‘root and boot’ officers unfit to serve the public.

The force is now writing to the Deputy Mayor of GM to appeal for Dempster to lose his right to a police pension.

Read more

Featured image: GMP

Oldham

Manchester Remembers release unbelievable new kits featuring iconic Manc landmarks for 2024 charity match

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Remembers kits 2024

The Manchester Remembers Foundation have just released the official kit designs for this year’s upcoming charity football match and they’re utterly amazing.

The 2024 Manchester Remembers charity game is fast approaching, with this year’s edition set to take place in July and the excitement is really starting to build – especially with kits as eye-catching as these.

Roping in help from local media and production company Badger and Combes, as well as getting Lionesses legend Sue Smith involved in the kit launch, the brand new Legends and Celebs kits have finally been revealed in extremely fine fashion.

Lovingly made once again by Oldham-based kit manufacturers, Hope and Glory, and with Salfordian fashion brand Marc Darcy Menswear serving as the main sponsor, the new shirt designs feature incredibly detailed drawings of recognisable locations around Manchester. Just look at them:

https://twitter.com/McrRemembers/status/1781260696396722425
The 2024 Manchester Remembers kits have officially been unveiled.

As you can see, iconic Manc landmarks like Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium take pride of place in the semi-opaque sublimated pattern on both the white and black versions of the kit.

Other noticeable buildings include Manchester Cathedral, the Central Library, Manchester Central (formerly the GMEX) and even a nice little nod to the Metrolink and Bee Network, just to name a few.

The incredibly detailed design pays homage to the city we all know and love and is a big step up from the already very well-received kits from last year’s charity match.

Once again, all the proceeds from the shirt sales go straight back into the Manchester Remembers Foundation and its partnered charities, which raise money for the families of those sadly lost in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

Celebs strip
Legends kit
You can pre-order the shirts ahead of their release in May HERE and they’re very affordable compared to most footy kits these days.

Read more:

With a whole host of exciting names taking part in the 2024 edition of the charitable community-driven event, including ex-Manchester United stars Antonia Valencia and Danny Simpson, local celebs like soap star Adam Thomas, YouTuber ‘Angry Ginge’ and many more, it’s going to be a momentous day.

This year marks just the third time the game has been held but the amazing people attached to this non-profit, not to mention the thousands that have turned up to see the wholesome fixture, have already helped raise over £117k for the associated charities. Unbelievable stuff.

Returning to Oldham Athletic‘s Boundary Park for the second year running, tickets for the game on Sunday, 28 July are already available and priced at only a fiver for under 16s and just £10 for adults, it’s one of the most uplifting and affordable afternoons of live sport you’ll find the region.

If you’ve not heard about this truly inspiring annual match until now, you can find out more HERE.

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

Featured Images — Manchester Remembers Foundation/Badger and Coombes

More Oldham

Bee Network launches in Oldham and Rochdale

Boroughs

The Bee Network officially rolls out in Oldham and Rochdale as more buses join local transport system

Poppy the tabby cat was found decapitated near Oldham Cats rescue shelter

News

Pet owners warned to ‘be vigilant’ after rescue home finds resident cat beheaded

Greater Manchester football stadiums named the safest in the UK according to study

Bolton

Greater Manchester football stadiums have been named the ‘safest in the UK’, according to new data

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches