Joe Harrigan

Mohammad Hassan, a 23-year-old student police officer with Greater Manchester Police, appeared at Stockport Magistrates’ Court accused of rape, kidnap, strangulation, sexual assault, theft of a mobile phone and dangerous driving. He was arrested after a police pursuit on the M62 ended in West Yorkshire and has been suspended by the force. No pleas were entered and bail was not sought. The court remanded him in custody for a further hearing at Manchester Crown Court, while the alleged victim continues to receive specialist support.

Five recent cases in Bury Magistrates Court resulted in fines, driving bans, and penalties for offences including possession of a CS gas canister, cocaine possession, drink-driving, breaching a domestic abuse protection order, and failing to stop for police.

Magistrates in Bury and nearby jurisdictions issued fines, penalties and compensation orders in five recent cases involving driving without a licence or insurance, possession of cannabis and nitrous oxide, possession of an offensive weapon, and the assault of a paramedic alongside criminal damage. Defendants received disqualifications, fines, costs, compensation orders and the destruction of seized items as appropriate.

A warrant was issued for 33-year-old Tyrone Young after he again failed to appear for sentencing at Bolton Crown Court, where he previously admitted multiple fraud and unfair commercial practice offences. Judge Abigail Hudson authorised the warrant without bail, with both prosecution and defence agreeing. Victims are expected to present statements, and Young will be brought back to court for sentencing at a later date.

Officials and politicians across the UK are seeking ways to deport grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed after his release from prison, despite legal barriers preventing removal of certain long‑term Commonwealth residents. The UK is in discussions with Pakistan, though acceptance is uncertain due to Ahmed’s previous renunciation of citizenship. Local and national leaders, including Andy Burnham and Health Secretary James Murray, urged the government to pursue all options. Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick called for stronger pressure on Pakistan, including halting aid and visas. The Conservatives plan to amend immigration legislation to close the loophole. Ahmed is currently living under strict licence conditions, including GPS tagging and exclusion zones.

Police are investigating a report of religiously aggravated harassment at Eccles Youth Centre in Salford on June 20, 2026, and have released an image of a man they want to speak with. Officers are appealing for public information and directing potential witnesses to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously.

Five recent cases heard in Bury and Manchester magistrates courts resulted in fines, driving bans, and a community order for offences including driving without insurance, breaching sex offender notification requirements, and theft from local shops. Penalties ranged from financial sanctions to unpaid work and extended driving bans.

Police seized more than 500 energy drinks, 70 bottles of wine and other suspected stolen goods during a raid on a shop in Ancoats, Manchester as part of a crackdown on organised retail theft. Items marked with SmartWater linked the goods to original stores. Greater Manchester Police said they have made nearly 4,000 shoplifting arrests in a year and are working with retailers to deter organised theft. A second‑hand store was also found selling suspected stolen goods, with efforts underway to return items to owners.

Flowers and written tributes were placed at Clifton Country Park following the death of a 15-year-old boy known as Leon. Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances and urged the public to avoid entering open water due to safety risks. Emergency services conducted a multi-day search before recovering the body, and Salford City Council stated it was cooperating with the investigation while expressing condolences.

Police arrested four people in Openshaw after tracking a suspicious moped, seizing suspected heroin and cocaine, ammunition, several motorbikes including a Surron, a suspected stolen quad bike, and five XL Bully–type dogs. Greater Manchester Police described the joint operation as highly effective, resulting in multiple vehicle seizures and the recovery of drugs and weapons, with the suspects remaining in custody for questioning.