A grandmother was left with a black eye after reportedly being struck by a police officer outside an Oldham supermarket last weekend.
A video surfaced online this week appearing to show an officer swinging at 50-year-old Colleen Murphy – who was attempting to intervene as her son was apprehended for being “drunk and disorderly”.
The incident, which took place outside Sainsbury’s on Union Street, was captured on camera by witnesses and then posted online.
Greater Manchester Police said it has referred the incident to its Professional Standards Department, where body camera footage will be analysed.
This video's emerged appearing to show a police officer punching a 50-year-old woman outside an Oldham supermarket. Colleen Murphy suffered a black eye. @gmpolice has referred the incident to its Professional Standards Department, who'll be looking at body-worn camera footage. pic.twitter.com/JKmWEsl0LM
Ms Murphy’s daughter, Danielle Willisford, told the Manchester Evening News she had entered the store with her brother, leaving her mother and cousin to use the cash machine outside.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to Ms Willisford, her mother and cousin were barred from entering the supermarket.
A confrontation then occurred.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ms Willisford stated: “My brother goes to the security guard ‘I’m not barred, am I?’ and there were three policemen: one woman and two men.
“He stepped into Sainsbury’s and then the policeman in the yellow top said ‘you are barred, I just told you, you are barred’ and then started shouting and my brother just said ‘will you please get out of my face I’ve done nothing wrong’.
“Anyway, he grabbed him and flung him onto the floor and the full video is what happened after that.”
ADVERTISEMENT
During the video, a woman is seen approaching police performing an arrest before one officer seems to throw a punch in retaliation.
Horrifying video shows Grandma being punched in the face by GMP police officer during scuffle outside Sainsbury's https://t.co/BZqgEbUNWR
A police spokesperson for GMP reads: “This incident took place after police were called just after 9pm on 7 August and responded to a report of a disturbance on Union Street, Oldham. A 31-year old-male was subsequently arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
“At the time of his arrest a crowd had gathered, and footage of the incident has been uploaded onto social media.
“The footage shows an altercation with members of the public attempting to intervene, while officers placed the man under arrest. The man received a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for being drunk and disorderly. There were no injuries reported.
“The incident has been referred to our Professional Standards Department, who will review the Body Worn Video of events leading up to the arrest, along with the footage posted.”
Oldham
Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Greater Manchester urged to ‘check before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in tonight
Emily Sergeant
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to check before they travel as Storm Goretti prepares to bring chaos this evening.
In case you weren’t aware, yellow weather warnings for snow have been put in place for parts of Greater Manchester – including Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside, and Stockport – from 5pm this evening until around midday tomorrow, and additional amber warnings are even in place from 8pm tonight for some neighbouring areas like Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
As a result, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is understandably warning locals that there could be disruption to journeys this evening, including by rail, trams, buses, and on the roads.
Trams on the Oldham, Rochdale, and Ashton lines are most likely to be disrupted by the weather, as are buses in the north and east of the region, TfGM has warned, and due to the expected impact, no trains will run on the following routes from 6pm this evening:
New Mills Central – Sheffield (no trains between Manchester & Sheffield)
Hazel Grove – Buxton
Guide Bridge – Glossop/Hadfield
🌨️ Storm Goretti will hit parts of Greater Manchester from 5pm tonight to midday tomorrow [8 and 9 January].
If you're making a journey, please check before you travel to see if your route is impacted and take extra care when travelling.
Train ticket acceptance will be in place on the 237 and 341 bus services tonight and tomorrow to help passengers get to where they need to be, although disruption could be on the cards here too, once again.
All train routes are planned to reopen after midnight on Saturday morning.
Interchanges, platforms, and crossings across the region are being treated with grit and anti-icing measures to make sure they are safe to use, and TfGM has confirmed that ‘ice breaker’ trams are also ready to be deployed to keep overhead lines clear of ice so trams can keep moving.
For those driving this evening, TfGM is also urging people to take extra time and make sure you are driving ‘appropriately’ for the conditions.
Greater Manchester is urged to check ‘before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in / Credit: rawpixel
Speaking ahead of Storm Goretti’s arrival, Danny Vaughan, who is TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “We are expecting Storm Goretti to hit Greater Manchester as we head into the evening peak travel time and we are urging everyone to check their plans before they travel, leave extra time and if possible to consider if they can make their journey before 5pm before the storm hits.
“Working with our partners and operators we are ready to respond to the storm and help to keep Greater Manchester moving.”
He also warned commuters that there may also ‘be an impact on journeys’ tomorrow morning, so if you are planning to travel, then it’s advised to check before you do so.
The Manc -
10th August 2021 
