The Manchester Evening News looks back on the cases before our regions courts this week
Paul Simmons and Jordan Downs(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
Killer drug dealers, an e-bike rider and a balaclava-clad gang are among those who have been jailed this week in Greater Manchester.
Jordan Downs and Paul Simmons murdered Michael McCann after he tried to ‘tax’ them out of drugs. Mr McCann was stabbed to the leg and died of his injuries two days later. Both were found guilty of murder and were jailed for life.
Also locked up this week was an e-bike rider who drove into a grandma as she was crossing the road, and a balaclava-clad gang who hacked at a man with machetes before shooting him in broad daylight.
Prison terms are handed out to the worst offenders. Manchester Evening News reporters are on hand to cover the most serious cases each week.
Here is a roundup of this week’s cases heard before our courts:
Zak Morris, Xarvae Forrester, Kellen Mongeme and Kavon Haselden-Doyle
Top: Zak Morris, Xarvae Forrester. Bottom: Kellen Mongeme, Kavon Haselden-Doyle(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
Four men have been jailed after a lone man was ambushed, hacked at with machetes and shot in broad daylight in an unprovoked attack.
Graphic CCTV footage captured the moment Michael Senghore was pursued and blasted with the gun by Kavon Haselden-Hoyle, 27, in Gorton in October last year.
Kellen Mongeme, 18, and Zak Morris, 17, both produced machetes and used them to attack Mr Senghore, A fourth defendant, Xarvae Forrester, 20, had gone to attack him but after the sound of the gunshot, quickly made off.
Morris can now be identified following an application by the Manchester Evening News to lift reporting restrictions.
A court heard that Mr Senghore was able to drag himself into his home before summoning help. As a result of his injuries, he had to have his leg amputated and has lost the full use of his right hand.
The four men were each convicted of attempted murder following a trial and have now been jailed.
Read the full story here: Four jailed after lone man ambushed, hacked at with machetes and shot in broad daylight
Kian Monks
(Image: GMP)
An e-bike rider ploughed into a grandma while she crossed the road, causing her to spend weeks in a coma, before cowardly fleeing the scene.
Former Wigan Athletic youth footballer Kian Monks left pensioner Margaret Scaldwell with severe injuries after the bike he was on with another man struck her on Orrell Road in Wigan on August 1 2023.
Margaret, aged in her 60s, was propelled into the air, causing her to suffer compound fractures to her left leg, broken bones in both arms, multiple broken ribs, and severe facial injuries as a result of the impact her head had with the pavement, a court heard.
Following the collision, both men on the bike attempted to flee the scene while being chased by brave members of the public who began filming on their mobile phones.
Monks, 22, was pursued and restrained by brave witnesses, while the other rider made off on foot before handing himself in at Wigan police station later that day.
At Bolton Crown Court on Wednesday (July 23), Kian Monks, of The Avenue, Wigan, was jailed for two years and three months. He had pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving and driving with no licence or insurance.
Read the full story here: Pensioner left in pool of blood with catastrophic injuries after horror e-bike crash
Jordan Downs and Paul Simmons
Jordan Downs (left), Michael McCann (middle) and Paul Simmons (right)(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
Two drug dealers have been jailed for life for the murder of an addict who tried to ‘tax’ them. Michael McCann, 35, died after plotting to steal drugs from Jordan Downs and Paul Simmons.
He was fatally stabbed in the leg during a fight in the street in Bolton. Downs, 32, picked up a knife from the kitchen of Simmons’ flat prior to the confrontation, before using it on Mr McCann.
Simmons, 49, emerged from the flat armed with a wooden stick and became involved in a struggle with him. Both were found guilty of murder following a trial. At a sentencing hearing today (Friday, July 25), they were both jailed for life.
Read the full story here: Drug dealers jailed for life for murder of addict who tried to ‘tax’ them – as victim’s brother tells court of heartbreak