‘It was an episode all too common of young men using knives to fight’
11:33, 19 Jun 2025Updated 12:08, 19 Jun 2025
McKenzie Purtill(Image: GMP)
Two teenagers have been jailed for their part in a violent fight in Salford. McKenzie Purtill, 18, and Marley Brown, 19, were seen walking towards a car on Adelphi Street before attacking those inside.
Rio Vernardakis, 19, and Cade Toon, 19, jumped out of the vehicle before a melee broke out. Vernardackis was stabbed.
The four teenagers were arrested following multiple 999 calls. Blood was seen in the road. They were all hauled before the courts and admitted violent disorder.
Purtill and Brown were jailed, while Vernardakis and Toon received suspended prison sentences.
Manchester Crown Court earlier heard the incident unfolded on June 8 last year. Alex Bennie, prosecuting, said: “Mr Brown and Mr Purtill walked out of a flat on Adelphi Wharf at around 12.10pm and proceeded to walk down the road.
“Mr Vernardakis and Mr Toon entered into a grey Mercedes being driven by another individual. The car stopped on Adelphi Street before the other individual went inside Mr Brown and Mr Purtill were then seen to walk toward the car.”
In CCTV played to the court, Purtill was seen punching one of the other men, before they began attacking each other. Amid the scuffle, Vernadackis was knifed. Brown and Purtill were later seen discarding a blade.
Police at the scene at Adelphi Wharf(Image: Submitted)
Brown and Purtill were later after. Vernardackis was treated at hospital before being detained. Representing Purtill, Niamh Ingham said he inflicted one punch before he was pushed over and assaulted.
“He is trying and seeing the impact of what this offending does,” she added. For Brown, Julian Nutter said: “He has been involved in gangland culture. Young people find themselves sucked into knives and music, it is all very attractive to them when they are immature.
“The hangover is as they mature, if intervention does not occur, they become increasingly concerned with knives. His parents tried stopping it by moving him to Yorkshire. It had a positive effect, away from the gangland of Manchester.”
Jailing Purtill, Recorder of Manchester Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: “You have been very violent as a young man. If you carry on you will serve longer and longer sentences. Your future is in your hands.”
He added: “The defendants engaged in fighting, a skirmish in the street, two knives were produced and used, in the daytime, in Salford. It was an episode all too common of young men using knives to fight.
“The reason for the confrontation was obscure whether it was gang related or not. This is because that is all too common in Greater Manchester.”
Purtill, of Littler Avenue, Didsbury, was jailed for three years and eight months. He previously admitted violent disorder; and section 18 wounding in relation to a different incident.
Brown, of Selig Parade, Sheffield, was detained for 21 months for violent disorder. Both Toon, of Cleworth Walk, Salford; and Vernardarkis of Nancy Street, Manchester, were both handed 18 month sentences, suspended for two years, for violent disorder.
Toon must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours unpaid work. Vernardarkis was ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.