News
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
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.
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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