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

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.