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Family pay tribute to ‘brave’ axe attack victim who appeared in BBC’s The Detectives

His tragic death was announced on the final episode of the series

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Greater Manchester Police

The family of a tree surgeon who was the victim of an axe attack, which featured in BBC documentary series The Detectives, has paid tribute to him.

The BBC Two series follows Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Organised Crime Unit as they try to take down the ‘Adam’ gang – based on the Newbold Estate – described as Rochdale’s most significant Organised Crime Group.

The three-part series,  The Detectives: Taking Down an OCG, documents Cameron’s journey as he is seen talking to police and prepares to face his attacker in court for a retrial. 

He agreed to provide evidence in court despite being offered the sum of £10,000 by a gang member not to attend.

Greater Manchester Police

Cameron Brooksbank was 17 when he was attacked in a street in Rochdale, in Greater Manchester, in October 2017.

The attack began as a simple road rage incident with Cameron, who was working nearby with other tree surgeons, trying to de-escalate the situation.

The road rage incident involved a woman and a local gang member as Cameron tried to defend her.

But events took a horrifying turn as the then teenager was struck in the armpit with an axe and again on the wrist as he tried to shield his head from a blow.

BBC

Surgeons managed to partially reattach Cameron’s hand and he required a further five surgeries just to maintain 60% use of his arm.

He suffered mentally and physically following the terrifying incident.

Cameron’s attacker was Mohammed Awais Sajid, known as ‘Skinny’, of Kings Road, Rochdale. Sajid was convicted of committing section 18 of assault and jailed for 18 years.

He had been summoned to the scene by Habibur Rahman, who was jailed for four and-a-half years.

Greater Manchester Police

His brother, Zillur Rahman, 29, was jailed for three years for conspiracy to commit violent disorder after admitting to making phone calls to summon the gang.

And Arsan Ali, 23, was also among those who turned up to the scene after being summoned. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and was jailed for four years.

Sadly, in the final episode which aired on Wednesday night, GMP confirmed Cameron had died on June 18th at the age of 24.

BBC

The force said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

Following the broadcast, his family released a statement which said: “This has been the most terrible time for our family, but we are just one, of many, that are being supported by GMP, who are constantly being destroyed by these cruel, merciless drug gangs.

“Everyone can see first-hand how these members proactively target children into drug misuse and debt to become modern-day slaves.

Greater Manchester Police

“Also, the bravery of the officers who put their lives on the line must never be taken for granted; they have been so caring and comforting.”

The family thanked GMP and members of the public for all their ‘support’ and ‘many kind words’.

“We are extremely proud of Cameron’s bravery and that his personal story will hopefully help raise some much-needed awareness around this topic,” they added.

 

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Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries

Fancy a career change?

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Stagecoach

Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.

You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.

Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.

As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.

Stagecoach

There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.

Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.

“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.

“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”

Stagecoach

Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.

“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”

To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.

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Two men charged with murder after torso discovered in Salford nature reserve

BREAKING:

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Greater Manchester Police

Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.

As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.

This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.

Greater Manchester Police


Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.

They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.

While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.

ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.

“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.

“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.

“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.

“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.

“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”

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More human remains discovered in Greater Manchester as police identify victim

All the latest updates

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Detectives investigating the discovery of a torso in Kersal Dale have found more human remains around Greater Manchester.

GMP released a statement on the weekend, revealing they had opened four scenes for extensive searches – one of them at a warehouse in Bury, and three in Salford.

Searches took place at Blackleach reservoir, where human remains were found, and a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood.

Officers believe they have now identified the man, who they believe to be a man in his 60s that lived in Salford, and his family have been informed.

Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder probe, with officers saying they are thought to have lived with the victim.

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Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for this investigation, said in a statement at Blackleach reservoir yesterday, Sunday April 28th: “We have continued to make significant progress in our investigation into human remains being found in Kersal earlier this month.

“From day one, our priority has been to identify the man and his family so that we can give them the support and the answers that they need.

“Thanks to meticulous forensic work, we are now confident we have identified the man. Formal identification hasn’t yet taken place, but we believe he is a man in his 60s and lived in Salford.

“Specially-trained family liaison officers have met with his family this afternoon to give them the devastating news, and we will do all that we can to support them at this awful time.

“We believe he is known to the two suspects we have in custody. They have remained in custody for questioning over the weekend, as we work to establish how the victim met this tragic outcome.”

He continued: “We have painstakingly worked to follow up every line of inquiry in this investigation. Over the last couple of days, we have acted on information and had four scenes in place for extensive searches – one of them is at a warehouse in Bury, and three of them are in Salford, including here at Blackleach reservoir.

“Today, we have found some human remains at the reservoir here, and last night a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood. Forensic tests will continue to establish whose remains these are, but we are very confident that this is also the victim in our investigation.

“We have also been searching a house in Winton where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived. We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there – most likely in late March.

“While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation. I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond – including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man’s heartbroken family.

“Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.”

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