Amy Walker

Jason Mulhern, 57, was removed from a Jet2 flight from Manchester to Dalaman after an intoxicated, foul-mouthed confrontation with cabin crew. The aircraft returned to the gate and the flight was cancelled because of safe flying-hour restrictions, disrupting the plans of about 300 passengers and affecting another 300 passengers in Turkey. Jet2 intends to pursue £44,710 in costs. Mulhern received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, along with alcohol abstinence requirements, rehabilitation activity, 300 hours of unpaid work and £500 in court costs, and faces a lifetime ban from Jet2.

Both Douk Deng, a 21-year-old South Sudanese asylum seeker, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting criminal damage and possessing a hammer, hatchet, seven-inch knife and petrol can at schools in Rochdale. Police detained him at Edgar Wood Academy after staff and construction workers raised concerns. The court heard that Deng, whose asylum applications had been refused three times, wanted to attract attention to his immigration situation and was not motivated by hostility toward children or the public. A psychiatric assessment found no significant mental-health concerns, while the judge criticized the Home Office for failing to resolve his status.

Terrence King, 60, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and one day after being convicted of murdering 15-year-old Devon Simmonds-Caines in Middleton, Greater Manchester. King deliberately drove his Vauxhall into Devon, who was riding an e-bike that had reportedly been stolen earlier that day, causing fatal injuries. The judge described the killing as an act of unlawful private retribution and said King intended to cause really serious harm. King’s defence argued there was no premeditated intention to kill and cited his remorse, while Devon’s family described their profound grief and remembered his ambitions and potential. Greater Manchester Police said the verdict could help bring the family closure.

Three teenagers were sentenced for a planned revenge attack in Cheetham Hill that resulted in the fatal stabbing of 26‑year‑old Vernard Murray. Lee Williams received a life sentence for murder, while Riley McDermott and John Harte were given custodial terms for manslaughter after a high‑speed chase, vehicle collision, and subsequent stabbing. Evidence included CCTV footage, attempts to destroy the getaway vehicle, and post‑attack celebrations. Emotional statements from Murray’s family highlighted their ongoing grief, while the judge and police condemned the violence and emphasized its devastating impact.