What was known by authorities about Dylan Scanlon before his murder?
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It was New Year’s Eve 2021 when neighbours and family members tried in vain to resuscitate five-year-old Dylan Scanlon.
He had 60 bruises to his head, face and body and nine times the fatal dose of the anti-depressant mirtazapine, prescribed to his mother Claire, in his system.
Dylan’s mum claimed he had fallen down a set of stepladders at their home on Oldham’s Limeside estate and that he had been “running around with the dog” 20 minutes earlier.
The 38-year-old was arrested and later detained under the Mental Health Act. She told staff at Edenfield Hospital: “I killed my son.”
Dylan Scanlon(Image: M.E.N.)
Scanlon was later jailed for 18 years having been found guilty of Dylan’s murder.
Reporter Amy Walker was at Manchester Crown Court to hear all the harrowing details of the case.
Trial jurors heard how a concerned neighbour had called the council reporting that the child looked ‘gaunt and grey’, as though he was being ‘starved’. They also called months later to report that the family’s garden was ‘overrun with rats’ and full of rubbish.
Amy has now looked at the failings that led to Dylan’s death and explains how concerns about Dylan’s care had been reported and how social services were involved.
When Scanlon was found guilty of murder in July 2023 and jailed for 18 years, Amy asked the council a series of questions about its handling of the case. The council said it could not comment pending the publication of a full child safeguarding practice review.
“When it came out in court, I knew there was more to it,” says Amy, after reading the recently-published report.
“It was shocking that a number of people had reported issues with his care, and nothing had been fully developed to help him, or Claire herself, who was obviously struggling.
“It was shocking to see that communication issues between the police and social services were not properly established. Hopefully lessons can be learned so this never happens again.”
You can read Amy’s full report here.
Stickers, sheep and smoke
Jade, Colin and Ernie on the bus
It was the policy so unpopular it caused all manner of protests – including prompting a shepherdess to take a sheep on the 471 bus.
Greater Manchester’s charging clean air zone (CAZ) was scrapped in 2022, but the row over the region’s air quality is far from over.
In the years since, there have been more arguments, thousands spent to amend CAZ signs and a new plan.
But with a recent study declaring pollution here is so severe it’s ‘like smoking 149 cigarettes a year’, there is plenty of work to do.
Ethan Davies has been looking at the new plans.
He was always there
Nardia with her dad, Norman, the last time she saw him
Nardia Scott used to love visiting Manchester, because her dad would always be there to greet her. But when she flew in from Jamaica last month, his absence was felt deeply.
Norman Scott, 68, died after being stabbed on the street in Moss Side last Autumn. Another man, 75-year-old Sidy Fall, was also injured and died.
When Nardia’s brother phoned her to tell her the dreadful news, she thought he was calling about Norman’s upcoming Christmas visit.
“I don’t know if we will ever get over it. Now it’s a matter of living with his memory,” she says.
Nardia has spoken of her recent trip to Manchester and visiting the spot where her father died.
The turnaround
Children’s services in Tameside have been failing for years, but now the council has given a glimpse at how they intend to turn things around.
Plunged back into special measures in 2023, the local authority has been thrust into the spotlight for failures, toxicity and having an oppressive and bullying culture.
A draft improvement plan now sets out how the council intends to achieve their ambitions.
George Lythgoe has been looking at the plans.
End of an era
This is how Conran Street Market looked on Tuesday (July 22) – just days after trading stopped for the last time(Image: LDRS)
The bowed and bent tables at the Conran Street Market, locked behind tall metal fences, have seen better days. But they won’t see another day of trading again.
They served Harpurhey for 94 years, part of something ‘unique’ in Manchester: The last privately-owned market in the city.
But its owners, Northern Markets, have decided to call time on trading and sell the land, which auctioneers say could become ‘much needed new housing to be built’ if Manchester council gives ‘planning consent’. It was auctioned off on July 30, snapped up by an unknown buyer for £738,000.
Ethan Davies has been speaking to the traders who spent a lifetime there.
Headlines
Not welcome: Staff at Victoria Tap say they have seen an ‘alarming rise’ in racist, homophobic and sexist conversations taking place within the pub. They’ve reminded regulars that those types of comments are not welcome.
Pride: Officers and staff at Greater Manchester Police have been told they will not be able to take part and ‘represent the force’ at this year’s Manchester Pride parade. The move follows a recent review which found that Northumbria Police’s involvement in Newcastle Pride 2024 was found to have breached impartiality rules.
Data: Almost 200 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in Greater Manchester over the first six months of the year, new figures from a charity reveal. Details here.
Urgent: Spending on emergency housing in Stockport is set to hit £2m – with the council urging ‘radical intervention’ from the government to improve the situation. More here.
Weather
Thursday: Light rain changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime. 21C
Roads: A640 Elizabethan Way, Milnrow, closed in both directions for gas works from Bridge St to Buckley Hill Lane until August 25.
A5067 Chester Rd westbound, Old Trafford, closed for roadworks between Talbot Rd and Bridgewater Way between 9.30am and 3.30pm until October 31.
A577 Mosley Common Rd closed for roadworks between Bridgewater Rd and Chaddock Lane until Nov 3.
A6 Chapel St westbound, Salford, closed for long-term roadworks between Blackfriars Rd and New Bailey St until January 19.
Manc trivia: Which Manchester export is known for the slogan: ‘By ‘eck it’s gorgeous’?
Worth a read
Asia Thai Corner in Failsworth (Image: MEN)
Pad Kra Prow is one of about 50 dishes on the menu at Asia Thai Corner, on Oldham Road in Failsworth.
And it’s one of several alongside ‘Jungle Curry’, Pad Kee Mao (Thai drunken noodles) and the sizzling seafood dish ‘Pad Cha’ that comes with a three chilli warning.
What’s On editor Jenna Campbell headed down to try out the dishes on offer.
Trivia answer: It’s The Cream of Manchester, Boddingtons beer.