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Duo on ‘BB’ power list

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:01:57 -0000

Two local men have been named among the most powerful British Bangladeshis in the country.

Housing association chief executive Ali Akbor and business tycoon Iqbal Ahmed have both featured in the inaugural British Bangladeshi (BB) Power 100 list.

Jail for drug dealer who crashed his car during police chase

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:01:55 -0000

A drug dealer arrested after he crashed his car following a police chase has been jailed.

Cannabis worth up to £4,900 was discovered in the Volkswagen Golf owned by Bilal Altaf after the pursuit in November 2010.

Police investigate 'race hate' attack after man, 21, hit with bottle and boy, 16, assaulted in Rochdale

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:54:41 -0000

Police are investigating an alleged 'race hate' attack on a man and a teenage boy in Rochdale.

A 21-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were walking with friends along a footpath close to Sandbrook Retail Park on Edinburgh Way when it is claimed a gang of three Asian men repeatedly kicked and punched the pair and the 21-year-old was hit with a bottle.

Garage boss ordered to pay back £59k

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:17:44 -0000

A garage boss, who was found with stolen vehicle parts in his workshop, has been ordered to pay back almost £59,000.

Rashid Khan, aged 30 of of Blackburn Road, Haslingden, was jailed for three years nine months in July 2011 after he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of dishonestly receiving stolen goods.

Pilgrimage tragedy still a mystery, two years on

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:28:59 -0000

A pilgrimage to Pakistan turned to tragedy when a father-of-six was killed in a horrific car crash.

Now a coroner has criticised authorities in Pakistan for a lack of information on the death of Gulshad Khan, 69, from Parkhills Road, Bury.

Teenage boy, 17, arrested over 'race hate' attack on trainee baker Daniel Stringer-Prince in Hyde

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:59:11 -0000

A teenage boy has become the second person to be arrested after a trainee baker was left fighting for his sight after a suspected race hate attack.

Daniel Stringer-Prince, 17, was attacked by a gang of men as he walked through Hyde town centre with his best friend.

CCTV images released to catch pair over mugging of elderly woman

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:06:05 -0000

Police have released CCTV images of two teenage girls they would like to speak to in connection with the mugging of a 75-year-old woman.

The elderly old woman was approached by two girls who are believed to have got out of a silver Volkswagen Golf. They snatched her bag which contained her pension money, a mobile phone and other personal items.

'I had to leap out of path of speeding car:' Witness tells court of how vehicle missed him

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:01:08 -0000

A witness told a court how he narrowly avoided being run over himself moments before a pedestrian was hit by a car and killed.

Kamran Khan, 24, and Shamin Uddin, 25, have gone on trial accused of causing the death of former care worker Daniel Lee by dangerous driving. They both deny the charge.

Hyde 'race hate' attack: 21-year-old man arrested

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:09:30 -0000

Police have arrested a 21-year-old man after a teenage boy was left fighting for his sight in a suspected racist attack.

Daniel Stringer-Prince, 17, was attacked by a gang of men as he walked through Hyde town centre with his best friend. The trainee baker was kicked and punched as he lay on the ground.

Video: Police keep peace as far right-wing group Infidels of Britain stages Rochdale protest

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:54:32 -0000

More than 100 members of the Infidels of Britain gathered outside the town hall shortly after 1pm.

The group are believed to be a splinter organisation from the English Defence League (EDL) who held a protest in Rochdale last March. But following a major operation involving more than 200 police officers the demonstration passed without incident and no arrests were made.

Tikka chance on Stretford

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:09:40 -0000

An Indian restaurant chain is to open its first site in the north west in a move which will create 25 jobs.

ChennaiDosa, which has 10 eateries, will open next month at a 125-cover restaurant over two floors in the Stretford Mall, Trafford.

Bury man, 33, who has suffered from kidney failure since he was 6 urges more black and Asian people to become donors

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:18:16 -0000

A man who has waited six years for a kidney transplant is pleading for more black and Asian people to give the gift of life.

Wajid Iqbal, 33, has suffered from kidney failure since the age of six – and his only hope of leading a normal life is to receive a new organ.

Radical cleric wins bid for freedom

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:12:11 -0000

The decision to release a radical Muslim cleric described as "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe" on bail has been branded "a disgrace".

Abu Qatada will be free and walking his child to school next week despite the fact the Home Secretary considers him "a real threat to our security".

Friends ‘speeding in convoy’ when dad was killed in road

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:08:04 -0000

Two drivers were playing ‘follow the leader’ in a high-speed convoy at up to 60mph when one of them hit and killed a young dad-of-two, a court heard.

Kamran Khan, 24, and Shamin Uddin, 25, have gone on trial accused of causing the death of 21-year-old former care worker Daniel Lee by dangerous driving. They both deny the charge.

Four-year-old girl fights for life after she is run over in Rochdale

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:54 -0000

A four-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being knocked down on a busy main road.

Police were called to Albert Royds Street in Belfield, Rochdale, after the girl was hit by a silver Mitsubishi Carisma.

Hyde gang attack on 17-year-old Daniel Stringer-Prince 'treated as race hate crime' by police

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:44:51 -0000

A brutal attack on an innocent teenager who could lose the sight in one eye is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime, police said today.

Trainee baker Daniel Stringer-Prince, 17, was walking through Hyde town centre with his best friend Kavan Brown when they were set upon.

Family visit ends in shooting terror

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:01:35 -0000

A postmaster has told of the terrifying moment he was shot at during a robbery in Pakistan.

Father-of-three Javed Iqbal was visiting his parents in Faisalabad when he was mugged in the street close to their home.

Mufti of Mirpur tackles forced marriage issues in visit to UK

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:53:04 -0000

Members of the Pakistani community in Oldham met with with a local support group from Mirpur at an outreach event as part of a campaign against forced and early marriage among families living in the UK.

Couple bound together by ultimate gift of life

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:58 -0000

Shahnaz and Alias Ahmed have always been the perfect match.

Not only have they been married for 32 years but Shahnaz has now given Alias the ultimate gift of life – her left kidney.

Liverpool FC doctor wins Asian Football Award

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:13:17 -0000

As first-team doctor at Liverpool FC it is Dr Zafar Iqbal’s job to look after some of the world’s top players.

The 37-year-old, who grew up in Deeplish, has to look after players such as Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Luis Suarez and make sure they stay fit and healthy.

Knifemen terrorised us for just £35

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:58:53 -0000

An elderly couple in Oldham were robbed by knifemen in their own home – for just £35.

Abdul Rahim and his wife Anwar Begum were in their fabric shop, on the corner of Malton Street and Hornby Street, Coppice, when four men brandishing machetes forced their way inside at about 3pm on Tuesday.

Left black and blue: CCTV captures moment hero Smurf is run down by Rochdale petrol thief in Bolton

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:03:28 -0000

A charity collector dressed as a smurf was mowed down by a petrol thief as he tried to stop him fleeing.

Petrol station manager Dan Walker stood in front of the thief's car – hoping to prevent him driving away.

Jailed: Whitefield care boss who stole from disabled patients at south Manchester care homes

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:58:16 -0000

A care home boss who stole thousands of pounds from vulnerable disabled people in his care has been jailed.

Adam Khan, 53, was sentenced to one year in prison at Manchester magistrates' court after taking £7,590 intended for the bank accounts of nine people with severe learning difficulties.

Police 'open fire on demonstrators'

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:03:08 -0000

Police are reported to have opened fire on crowds of stone-throwing opposition activists in several Bangladesh towns, killing at least three people and injuring more than 100.

The opposition party said 1,200 of its activists were arrested, although the figure could not immediately be confirmed.

Boy, 10, savaged by dog while playing football in Miles Platting park

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:54:12 -0000

Mohammed Ali Kamal, 10, had to undergo surgery twice after the Staffordshire Bull Terrier ripped a huge hole in his leg at a park in Miles Platting, Manchester.

Jailed: Bolton man who had recipe for deadly ricin poison and bomb-making documents

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:36:56 -0000

A man who had a recipe for a deadly poison and documents about how to make bombs has been jailed for two years and three months.

Asim Kausar, 25, from Bolton, had the information on a computer memory stick which contained details about the toxin ricin, assassination and torture techniques, and how to construct improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Spared jail: magistrate guilty of a £360k fraud

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:01:36 -0000

A magistrate who fraudulently applied for a £360,000 mortgage has walked free from court.

Mum-of-four Shanaz Hussain, 39, was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years after a jury found her guilty of seven counts of fraud.

Shisha cafe owners hauled before court for flouting ban

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:30:18 -0000

Two cafe owners have been fined for allowing customers to smoke shisha pipes.

Samir Merza, who runs Blue Mist, on Wilmslow Road, in Rusholme, was fined £200 with £500 costs after admitting two counts of allowing smoking in a smoke free place.

Police arrest 10 in early morning drug raids

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:26:56 -0000

Ten people have been arrested this morning after dawn police raids to stamp out drug dealing.

More than 100 officers swooped on nine addresses at 6am after months of investigation into the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine. In total, nine men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of drug offences including possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Bolton man pleads guilty to armed robbery conspiracy

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:31:29 -0000

A Bolton man has today pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit armed robberies in Burnley.

Rais Atcha, 20, of Burwell Close, Bolton was one of four men involved in a robbery at Muzzafer’s jewellers on Brougham Street, Burnley on Saturday 19 February 2011.

Sonia Deol to leave the BBC Asian Network

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:40:04 -0000

The BBC Asian Network's mid-morning presenter Sonia Deol has decided to leave the station.

Sonia is departing the digital network to get married and pursue an exciting new life in Vancouver, Canada. Her last day will be Friday 2 March 2012.

Masked men raid jewellers

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:14:13 -0000

Police are appealing for witnesses after two masked men believed to be armed with machetes raided an Asian jewellers.

At around 6:30pm, two masked men entered the store on Oak Lane, in the Manningham area of Bradford armed.

Terror suspect from Manchester is killed in US drone attack in Pakistan

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:03:36 -0000

A Manchester man hunted by police over links with al-Qaida has died in a US drone attack in Pakistan.

Aslam Awan was one of four men killed in a missile strike near the Afghanistan border. American intelligence officials say Awan, formerly of Cheetham Hill, was an influential al-Qaida operative involved in planning attacks in the West.

Vicious rapist jailed after preying on girls

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:02:03 -0000

A man jailed for 14 years for attacking and raping three girls has been described as ‘worse than an animal’.

Shofik Ali, 22, of Wells Street, Haslingden, returned and attacked his victims after the police had removed him from a house following a disturbance.

Fined shutter owner ‘victimised’ over protecting shop from thugs

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:02:02 -0000

A takeaway boss fined over security shutters said he feels ‘victimised’ after trying to protect his property.

Hassan Malik, owner of Freddy’s Chicken and Pizza in Rawtenstall, has been hit with a £250 court bill after shutters installed on the premises breached planning conditions.

Mother died after wounds weren’t treated properly

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:02:01 -0000

A mother of two who suffered burns while cooking chapatis at home died 10 weeks later after her wounds weren’t properly treated.

Shamim Akhtar failed to receive the necessary care for her injuries at Rochdale Infirmary, an inquest heard.

Benefit cheat faked letter

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:01:59 -0000

A benefit cheat who faked documents to allow his partner to claim housing support has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Mubbashir Alam, aged 37, of Maldon Street, Deeplish dishonestly provided the council with a letter purporting to be from a solicitors’ firm in an attempt to help his partner obtain housing benefit payments for a fictitious tenancy.

Palestinian protesters hit the streets

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:54:58 -0000

Campaigners took to the streets to oppose the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Members of the Rochdale branch of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) gathered on Yorkshire Street to call for justice for the Palestinians.

‘Court right to jail yob’

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:41:51 -0000

A shopkeeper who used a cricket bat to fend off armed robbers said he is glad their getaway driver has been jailed.

Jason McCash, 27, admitted driving two cars in the attempted robbery of the Londis News Extra shop, on Barnes Road, in May last year at Preston Crown Court.

Mina snaps up the perfect dress

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:38:59 -0000

A snap happy photographer who’s a dab hand on the sewing machine has made a picture perfect dress.

Mina Ahmed, of Coppice, Oldham has been awarded the medal of excellence from the City and Guild for her unusual photographic display.

Cabbie faces jail over sex attack

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:35:52 -0000

A taxi driver who sexually assaulted a teenage passenger who fell asleep in the back of his cab has been told he will be jailed.

Zameer Arshad, 26, drove the teenager to a house in Accrington and ordered her to go upstairs where he sexually assaulted her.

Hunt for losing gambler who smashed machines

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:29:38 -0000

A frustrated gambler who used stools to smash up fruit machines after losing money is being hunted by police.

A CCTV image of a man wanted in connection with two incidents has been released.

Jailed, graduate who hid machine gun for gangsters

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:25:31 -0000

A deadly sub-machine gun was seized from a former high-flying graduate who was looking after it for gangsters.

Humayun Ashraf was caught with the Vigernon M2 9mm after cops swooped on his Audi A3.

Appeal judges quash conviction for ‘link’ to shop gun murder

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:41:03 -0000

A man jailed for life for the murder of a shopworker gunned down as he served behind the counter has had his conviction quashed.

Arfan ‘Bhatta’ Rafiq, 26, was last year found guilty of the murder of Nasar Hussain, thought to be the innocent victim of a conflict involving drug gangs in Bolton and Oldham.

Amir Khan’s 50-50 lure for Peterson rematch

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:46:49 -0000

Amir Khan has made a mega- money offer to Lamont Peterson to give him the chance to win back his world titles.

Cue for a play . . . taxi driver gets big break in new theatre career

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:34:01 -0000

A taxi driver is hoping his play about a group of British Pakistani pals meeting for a game of pool will put him on the road to success.

Novice writer Ishy Din, 43, dreamed up the plot for Snookered while ferrying passengers around in his cab.

Women are warned over park attacker

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:30:45 -0000

Women in a student heartland of Manchester have been warned to be vigilant after a series of attacks.

The police alert focuses on an area surrounding Platt Fields Park in Rusholme.

Fight to deport cleric goes on, say ministers

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:29:20 -0000

Ministers have vowed to continue their fight to deport a terrorist accused of posing a grave threat to national security – even though human rights judges have ruled he can’t be sent back home because it would be a ‘flagrant denial of justice’.

Sharia ‘a force for good not a reason for fear’

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:26:49 -0000

Aina Khan sits in her Manchester office. Dressed conservatively, with a dash of colour on her jacket hinting at glamour, she’s the epitome of the modern professional woman. She’s also a practising Muslim.

"Islam is so practical and logical," she says, talking at speed, arms waving in the air. "If we just listened to the rules we’d all be a lot happier."

EDL protest at meat counter of Rochdale Asda store

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:32:24 -0000

Up to 30 members of the English Defence League (EDL) gathered at the meat counter in Asda on Saturday afternoon.

It is thought the group were protesting against the supermarket selling halal meat.

Family of jailed terror man fight bid to seize their home

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:32:01 -0000

The family of a man jailed for terror offences have told how they are fighting a legal bid to seize their home.

Munir Farooqi, 54, was found guilty of preparing for terrorism, soliciting to murder and disseminating terrorist publications.

'Safe havens' set up for students in Manchester after shooting of Anuj Bidve

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:12:58 -0000

Students who feel unsafe on the streets of Manchester will be offered special boltholes throughout the city centre. Shops and businesses have been signing up to the pioneering scheme, which has been fast-tracked after the tragic shooting of Indian postgraduate Anuj Bidve.

Judge rejects woman's asylum claim

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:06:33 -0000

A Pakistani woman who fears she could become a victim of the Taliban because a family member is a police officer fighting terrorists has lost a High Court battle for asylum in the UK.

A judge ruled today that the "general risk" of being a victim of violence in Pakistan "does not give rise to valid asylum or human rights claims" in the UK.

Jailed: Thug who threw wheel brace at pal

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:48:54 -0000

A man who left a friend needing to have an eye removed after repeatedly hitting him with a wheel brace has been locked up for 10 years.

Mohammed Jangeer, 38, attacked his victim Mohammed Razzaq following a ‘minor row’ after a night out together.

Police worker drops his racial harassment case

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:14:10 -0000

An office worker at Rochdale police station who complained that he had suffered months of racial harassment has dropped his case just days before his tribunal was due to start.

Asad Iqbal made the formal complaint in October 2009 alleging that he suffered 18 months of harassment whilst working at the police station.

Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama to address the faithful at Manchester Arena during summer tour

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:04:53 -0000

The Dalai Lama will address tens of thousands of people at the Manchester Arena as part of a three-day visit to the city.

The Buddhist spiritual leader will make Manchester the focus of his UK tour in June which will also see him make one-day stops in London and Glasgow.

I’m so relieved, says Bolton police inspector cleared of corruption

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:19 -0000

A senior police officer has spoken of his relief after being cleared of corruption.

Inspector Mohammed Razaq was suspended on full pay seven months ago as part of an internal corruption probe by GMP.

Stockport son’s fears as ‘political icon' faces death penalty over alleged war crimes in Bangladesh

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:52:45 -0000

The family of a former political leader accused of masterminding war crimes during Bangladesh’s liberation struggle have criticised his arrest.

Ghulam Azam, 89, led the anti-independence Jamaat-e-Islami party during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. He was arrested last week by the International Crimes Tribunal in his homeland.

Cabbies could be made to take language tests

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:18:49 -0000

New taxi drivers could be made to take an English test – but Oldham council wants to hear your views.

Transport bosses want users of private hire and Hackney carriage taxis to let them know if new applicants for a taxi licence should sit an English test.

Pictured: Six-week-old baby boy in Bolton 'murder' probe

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:34:14 -0000

This is the first picture of a six-week-old baby boy at the centre of a murder probe.

Mohammed Ismail Malik was taken by paramedics from the family home in Bolton to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Cricket MAD Salma aiming to make a difference

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:30:14 -0000

Award-winning sportswoman Salma Bi is MAD about cricket and believes her exciting new project can Make A Difference in getting more females involved in the game.

Salma is soon to launch a new coaching organisation called Believe in MAD (Making A Difference) which aims to raise awareness of both girls/women's cricket and disability cricket.

Cllr Farooq Ahmed to stay after support from local community

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:04:34 -0000

A councillor who suspended by his party after a video emerged which appears to show him smoking cannabis has said he no longer plans to quit the council.

Councillor Farooq Ahmed said he would resign from Rochdale council yesterday after he was suspended by the Labour party pending an investigation into the video. But today he said had torn up his resignation letter and planned to stay on the council.

Ex-Tory candidate rented out house unfit to live in

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:57:57 -0000

A former Conservative parliamentary candidate has been prosecuted for failing to ensure a property he rented out was safe to live in.

Kamran Ghafoor, who stood for the Oldham West and Royton seat in 2010, was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,068 in costs after pleading guilty to an offence under section 30 of the Housing Act.

Body found in River Medlock is student Gurdeep Hayer who went missing in Manchester city centre after New Year night out

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:44:40 -0000

The body of a missing student has been found in a river in Manchester city centre.

Gurdeep Hayer, 20, disappeared in the early hours of January 2nd.

Wrongly jailed ex-pc seeks damages

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:55:04 -0000

A judge has begun to consider how much will be paid in damages to a former police officer who was wrongfully sent to prison as a result of a malicious prosecution brought by colleagues.

Cleveland Police has admitted liability after it was sued by ex-Pc Sultan Alam, who has battled for 17 years after he was wrongly prosecuted and convicted.

Seamark hosts PM visit

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:38:14 -0000

Prime Minister David Cameron met with members of the north west’s business community to listen to how they are dealing with the challenges of the tough economic climate.

The private meeting was organised by North West MEP Sajjad Karim, together with Manchester businessman Iqbal Ahmed, founder and chief executive of Seamark.

Freddy Roach: Amir Khan deserves rematch

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:49:36 -0000

Amir Khan’s trainer Freddy Roach claims he knows the ‘mystery man’ seen at ringside during the Briton’s controversial defeat to Lamont Peterson last month – and does not believe he is an International Boxing Federation official.

Family in fresh appeal over student who went missing after New Year night out

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:15:38 -0000

The distraught family of a student who vanished after a New Year's Day night out have been left “mystified” by his disappearance.

Gurdeep Hayer, 20, disappeared in the early hours of Monday, January 2, after a night out with friends at Sankeys nightclub in Manchester city centre.

Salford shooting: Hundreds turn out for Indian funeral of student Anuj Bidve

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:13:33 -0000

Hundreds of mourners have gathered for the funeral of Indian student Anuj Bidve who was gunned down in a Salford street.

The 23-year-old, from Pune in India, was heading into Manchester city centre early on Boxing Day when he was shot and killed.

OBE for youth worker who has helped thousands

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:01:23 -0000

A retired youth worker has been awarded an OBE for services to the community.

Mohammad Habeebullah, former Rochdale area youth manager, was named in the Queen's New Year honours list.

Brave shopkeeper sees off knifeman

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:01:22 -0000

A shopkeeper scared off a robber who threatened him with a knife. Masood Ahmed, 47, was working in the Newbold General Store on Bilberry Street, Rochdale with a colleague when a man walked in, brandishing a 10-inch blade.

We do not blame the people of Salford: Parents of Anuj Bidve visit street where he was shot dead on Boxing Day

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:37:20 -0000

The parents of an Indian engineering student who was shot dead on Boxing Day made an emotional visit to the Salford street where he was shot dead today.

Sweet smell of sales success

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:01:12 -0000

Perfume retailer The Fragrance Shop today posted strong sales growth over the festive period and said it plans to open more than 20 new stores this year.

The Trafford Park-based chain, which currently operates 135 outlets nationwide, defied the retail gloom with a 14.2 per cent hike in like-for-like revenues in the five weeks to Christmas Eve.

Entrepreneur turning record label into big hit

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:10:32 -0000

A young entrepreneur is bidding to put Oldham on the music map in 2012 after launching his own record label.

Multi-talented Kishan Lad, 20, has set up a series of companies aimed at producing, recording and promoting new talent.

Salford shooting: Father of Indian student Anuj Bidve calls for justice after visit to Parliament

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:01:27 -0000

The father of an Indian engineering student shot and killed on Boxing Day said he sent his son to England because he wanted the best for him.

Subhash Bidve called for justice for his son Anuj Bidve outside Parliament after meeting with Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz.

Garage torched to destroy crash car

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:35:43 -0000

A Rochdale man has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice in relation to an arson attack at a vehicle recovery yard.

Amjad Hussain, 43, of Plover Close, Bamford was part of a gang of crooks who set fire to the Vehicle Rescue Service (VRS) premises in Sharp Street, Walkden in an elaborate plot to destroy evidence of their involvement with a fail-to-stop collision.

Ahmed's right on the record

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:48:18 -0000

An up-and-coming entrepreneur who works with pop stars from poor countries has won a once-in-a-lifetime competition to hang out with Sir Richard Branson in South Africa.

Ahmed Amman, 24, set up 'ethical' record company, A7, from the bedroom of his flat in Manchester city centre last year.

Family of murdered student Anuj Bidve head for Manchester to take his body home

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:40:32 -0000

The family of murdered Indian student Anuj Bidve are on their way to Manchester to take his body back home.

Anuj, 23, was shot in the head as he walked down Ordsall Lane, Salford, in the early hours of Boxing Day.

Asian man attacked and racially abused in Higher Broughton

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:19:42 -0000

A gang of thugs attacked and racially abused an Asian man after he walked out of a takeaway.

The 24-year-old victim had just walked out of the food shop on Greater Cheetham Street in Higher Broughton, Salford, when he was followed by a group of four youths who asked what he had in his pockets.

Video: Candlelit vigil for student Anuj Bidve on Salford street where he lost his life

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:07:30 -0000

Hundreds of people have held a candle-lit vigil at the street in Salford where Indian student Anuj Bidve was shot dead on Boxing Day.

Salford shooting: 20-year-old accused of killing student Anuj Bidve tells court his name is 'Psycho Stapleton'

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:23:57 -0000

Kiaran Stapleton, 20, who is accused of gunning down Indian student Anuj Bidve on a Salford street on Boxing Day gave his name as "Psycho Stapleton" when he appeared in court today charged with murder.

Sri Lanka holidaymakers tell of horror slaying of Red Cross hero from Rochdale

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:07:32 -0000

Tourists have described the terrifying moments before a Red Cross worker was killed at a paradise resort.

Prosthetic expert Khuram Shaikh, from Milnrow, Rochdale, gave hope to men, women and children who lost their limbs in the world’s deadliest countries.

When can my boy come home? Father's anguish over wait for body of murdered Anuj Bidve to be returned to India

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:56:09 -0000

The father of murdered student Anuj Bidve has told of his desperate wait for his son's body to be returned home to India.

Subhash Bidve said that four days after 23-year-old Anuj was gunned down in a senseless attack on a street in Salford on Boxing Day, relatives still do not know when his body will be repatriated.

Manchester to host India business summit

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:01:51 -0000

Businesses seeking opportunities in India are invited to a summit in Manchester.

The event, at the Bridgewater Hall on March 14, will aim to help firms understand the potential of expanding into one of the world's fastest growing economies and will include tips on strategy and minimising risk.

Crooked Rochdale car dealer who sold 20 clocked motors escapes jail

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:26:25 -0000

Anjum Awais Alam bought cars through auctions and then advertised them on the Autotrader website with significantly lower mileages, a court heard.

The 61-year-old – who traded under several names including Rochdale Motors, RM and RM Motors – admitted 20 offences under trading standards and consumer protection laws.

Payback time as clamper conman is jailed for fleecing dozens of motorists

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:38:48 -0000

Mohammed Asif Ashraf blackmailed at least 50 motorists, demanding £150 to release vehicles, often late at night in the city centre.

Unknown to his victims, Ashraf was not licensed to clamp cars and the ‘official’ badge he displayed was a home-made fake.

Prince 'used fake name over baby'

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:26:31 -0000

A Middle Eastern prince had never seen the son he fathered during a "casual" relationship with a Egyptian model and used the name "Robert Smith" when taking a paternity test, a High Court judge has been told.

Sheikh Ahmed Al-Maktoum, whose airline sponsors Arsenal Football Club, had "never had and never sought any relationship" with the boy, now three, Mr Justice Bodey heard.

Unmasked: Fraudster in £250m con is revealed for the first time

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:37:18 -0000

The identity of a Manchester fraudster who was part of an international criminal gang which conned the taxman out of £250m has been revealed for the first time.

Abdul Koser, now 45, was jailed for five years in 2008 for his part in a massive ‘missing trader’ fraud – where millions of pounds of VAT rebates were falsely claimed back following the import and export of mobile phones.

Affair baby must be adopted rules Court of Appeal

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:30:44 -0000

A baby at risk of becoming the victim of an "honour killing" because she was born as the result of her Muslim mother's secret affair must be adopted to keep her safe, the Court of Appeal ruled today.

Three senior judges rejected a bid by the one-year-old girl's natural father to have her come and live with him and his wife.

Girl, 17, locked up for slashing face of her friend with razor blade in a row over boys

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:05:27 -0000

A teenage girl who slashed another girl's face with a razor blade seven times in a row over boys has been caged for more than three years.

Aroosa Jannisar, 17, set upon former friend Sabby Mir, 18, in a subway after they agreed to meet to 'sort out' their differences in May this year.

Kamel Hothi receives Honorary Doctorate

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:54:07 -0000

Kamel Hothi, niche markets director at Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, has been recognised by the World Sikh University London, with an Honorary Doctorate.

Kamel has over 32 years’ banking experience and is recognised for being the architect behind the Asian strategy across Lloyds Banking Group.

Police appeal for girl who went missing 10 years ago

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:27:56 -0000

Police are appealing for the public’s help to reunite a mother with her daughter, who was abducted more than 10 years ago.

Nobera Karim was reported abducted by her mother in October 2001.

Police appeal for information after man assaulted in Burnley

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:34:36 -0000

Police in Burnley are appealing for information after two men were assaulted in the town centre.

At around 1:30am on Friday 16 December, both victims had been in the Bees Knees pub on Hammerton Street in Burnley when a brief verbal altercation took place between themselves and a group five or six other men.

Drug dealers behind bars for over 56 years

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:16:25 -0000

Drug dealers in Burnley and Pendle are facing a combined total of over 56 years behind bars thanks to the efforts of local police.

Over the last 12 months, 16 drug dealers from across Burnley have been convicted and sentenced receiving a total of 56 years and 10 months in prison.

Jail for drug dealer who peddled misery on the streets

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:13:00 -0000

A drug dealer has been jailed for selling heroin and crack cocaine.

Syed Uddin, 20, admitted making thousands of pounds from selling the drugs over the last six months.

Shafilea parents deny murder

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:10:20 -0000

The parents of teenager Shafilea Ahmed have denied murdering her and will go on trial next year.

Iftikar Ahmed, 52, and his 49-year-old wife Farzana Ahmed, of Liverpool Road, Warrington are accused of killing Shafilea, 17, in 2003.

Man stable in hospital after setting himself on fire in Cheetham Hill

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:21:25 -0000

Police were called to Cheetham Hill Road at 3am this morning after reports that a 24-year-old man was threatening to pour petrol on himself.

Officers arrived at the scene and shortly afterwards the man carried out his threat.

Campaign aims to stub out shisha

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:02:34 -0000

A major crackdown on shisha smoking in Manchester’s curry mile will be launched in the New Year.

Health bosses at Manchester council will launch a public health campaign to warn people about the dangers of smoking the pipes.

Uninsured cab driver fined £400

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:00:53 -0000

A uninsured taxi driver from Norden in Rochdale has been fined for picking up passengers.

Forty-four year-old Parvez Akhtar, of Shelfield Lane, was prosecuted by Manchester City Council.

TV dad faces four benefit fraud charges

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:00:51 -0000

A man who featured on a TV documentary about his large family has appeared in court charged with benefit fraud for failing to declare part ownership of a second home.

Mohammed Salim featured in a Channel 4 show with his wife and 11 children in 2008.

Drug dealer spared jail

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:32:50 -0000

A repeated cannabis dealer who was trying to fund his own addiction, has been spared jail.

Wahid Hussain, 23, a convicted robber, had his fingerprints on drugs – worth £5,000 on the streets – which were found in a back yard in Accrington.

Women attacked by gang of men

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:38:39 -0000

Police are appealing for information after two women were attacked with what they believe to be metal bars.

At around 11:30pm on Wednesday 7 December, the two women, who are both Lithuanian, were stood having a cigarette at the rear of a property in a back street off Clover Hill Road, Nelson.

Shobna backs mentor plan

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:12:30 -0000

Corrie stars Shobna Gulati and Debbie Rush got an insight into a pioneering mentoring programme.

The actresses were among the VIP guests who went into a school and a Salford prison to see how young people were being steered away from trouble.

Amir Khan: I wants to be pound-for-pound champ

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:07:42 -0000

Amir Khan insists he will still be Britain’s first pound-for-pound No1. The former double world champion has made a defiant response to his shock defeat to Lamont Peterson last weekend.

Pakistan: Acid bills must be start to women's rights overhaul

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:39:33 -0000

Pakistan’s authorities must take concrete steps to end violence against women, Amnesty International has said after the country's Senate unanimously passed two landmark women's rights bills.

The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010 and The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Bill 2008 aim to empower and protect women and increase penalties for perpetrators of gender-based violence.

High schools to tackle forced marriages thanks to new education pack

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:29:28 -0000

The issue of forced marriage will be tackled by schools across the UK with the first-ever national education resource dedicated to the issue.

International children’s charity Plan UK is providing thousands of secondary schools with a groundbreaking animated film and learning plan - The Right to Say No.

Couple escape 'arson attack' on their Rochdale home by smashing through double glazed window

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:59:54 -0000

A heavily pregnant woman and her husband escaped from their burning home after a suspected arson attack.

Fire crews were called to Prince Street in Lowerplace, following reports of a blaze in the early hours of Monday.

Zardari poised to leave hospital

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:41:36 -0000

Pakistan's president will be discharged from hospital in Dubai on Thursday after being treated for a "mini-stroke".

His office said Asif Ali Zardari was to "rest at home", but did not say if that would be in Pakistan or in Dubai.

Frurt to open two more outlets and create 28 jobs

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:29:22 -0000

A couple who opened their first frozen yoghurt bar earlier this year are planning to open two more outlets in Manchester city centre over the next two months in an expansion drive which will create 28 jobs.

Syed and Shaza Ul Hassan launched Frurt in July with a branch on Whitworth Street West and are now eyeing sites in the Piccadilly and Deansgate areas, which they hope to open by the end of January.

Garage boss admits roof plunge death of electrician, 76

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:45:46 -0000

A garage owner has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws after a workman fell 20ft through a roof to his death.

Electrician Mohammed Hashim, 76, was killed when a skylight panel in the roof of a garage in Longsight gave way beneath him.

Islamic family law expert heads Russell Jones & Walker's new Shariah division

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:43:16 -0000

A Sharia law division has been set up by the family team at Manchester-based Russell Jones & Walker in response to client demand.

The division, called RJW Islamic Legal Services, is led by new recruit Aina Khan, who has more than 15 years' experience in the niche field.

Beauty queen pretended to be her sister in bid to dodge driving charge

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:35:28 -0000

Shanna Bukhari, 25, was pulled over while driving her family’s red MG sports car earlier this year. She claimed to be her sister but was rumbled when an eagle-eyed police worker saw her picture in the Manchester Evening News.

Two men arrested over attack on Lord Ahmed

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:11:20 -0000

Police investigating an attack on a member of the House of Lords have arrested two men.

Labour peer Lord Nazir Ahmed was targeted by three men in Cheetham Hill as he accompanied a senior Pakistani politician to an event.

Bolton boxer Amir Khan controversially loses world titles to Lamont Peterson in Washington

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:33:54 -0000

Amir Khan's dreams of global superstardom were spectacularly derailed in Washington tonight as local man Lamont Peterson ripped his WBA and IBF titles from him with a split decision victory.

The Bolton fighter had Peterson down twice in a brilliant first round but then faced perilous onslaughts in the third and seventh while also twice being harshly docked points.

Two cleared of plot to kill Oldham dad Amran Khan dad over ‘drug deal’

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:24:11 -0000

Two men have been cleared of conspiring in the murder of a dad shot dead on his doorstep by identical twins.

Father-of-two Amran ‘Manny’ Khan was gunned down at his home on Nugget Street, Oldham, in September 2009.

Top Muslim cleric slams ‘evil’ sex gangs

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:00:49 -0000

Imam Irfan Chishti slammed as "abhorrent" crimes by a minority of young Asian men against women and called for a more open discussion on sexual relationships in the home to help tackle the problem of exploitation of young girls.

He has spoken out after two Rochdale men were jailed for raping two teenage girls after they were lured to a house by a friend, as reported in the Rochdale Observer.

Smuggler hid three partridges in cardboard box on flight from Pakistan because they 'eased his depression'

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:01:25 -0000

A man was caught trying to smuggle three live partridges at Manchester Airport. Faqar Zaman, 50, put the caged birds inside a cardboard box and covered them with plastic plates on the flight home from Pakistan.

New twist in 'Face of Asia' model's Salford Quays death fall tragedy

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:16:33 -0000

An inquest into the death of a catwalk model who plunged from a balcony could be delayed for up to a year after her family accused police of failing to properly investigate the incident.

Sahar Daftary, 23, a former Face of Asia winner, fell 150ft from a luxury apartment at Salford Quays in 2008.

Limousine boss in court accused of chauffeuring relatives of Manchester City officials and a star player without insurance

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:34:43 -0000

The co-owner of a luxury limousine hire firm is to appear in court accused of chauffeuring relatives of Manchester City officials and a star player without insurance.

Mohammed Fayaz Hussain, 41, was slapped with a summons after five vehicles belonging to Elite Limousines VIP Protection Services were pulled over by police on their way to the Etihad Stadium.

Hollingworth Lake death woman Chamman Shah 'went to meet friend' hours earlier

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:55:00 -0000

Police are trying to piece together the ‘lost’ final four hours of the Rochdale woman's life.

Officers were called to the Littleborough beauty spot shortly before 7.45pm on Saturday after her body was found by dog walkers.

I wish I had died instead: Anguish of solicitor whose careless driving caused death of Stockport girl on her 18th birthday

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:58:08 -0000

A Solicitor whose careless driving led to the death of a girl on her 18th birthday wished he had died in the crash instead, a court heard.

Dad-of-three Shiraz Imtiaz, 34, pulled his car out into the path of an oncoming VW Golf, killing its teenage passenger Simone Hill.

Crimefighters honoured

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:43:50 -0000

Two Rochdale crimefighters have been awarded for their work with Greater Manchester Police.

Community relations officer Abida Niaz and Detective Chief Inspector Asrar Ul-Haq were saluted at The National Association of Muslim Police annual excellence awards.

'Naked' body scanners will stay at Manchester Airport despite health fears, says minister

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:16:36 -0000

Transport secretary Justine Greening spoke out after the European Commission stopped all new trials of the £80,000 device amid fears it could emit higher-than-expected levels of cancer-causing radiation.

Man glassed in Bolton in unprovoked assault

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:15:39 -0000

A man was left with a broken jaw in an unprovoked attack in Bolton.

At about 5.30pm on Saturday 12 November 2011, the 39-year-old man was on his phone and was walking along Glade Street when three men asked him whether he wanted any drugs.

MEP Sajjad Karim urges political leadership on India and Pakistan trade Issues

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:13:40 -0000

North west MEP Sajjad Karim is urging a more pragmatic approach from the EU towards current trade negotiations.

The MEP says the proposed Indian deal is the best new opportunity available for European business.

KPMG celebrates with Asian festival dinner

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:09:29 -0000

More than 250 guests from the Asian community joined KPMG staff last week to celebrate the Asian festivals of Eid and Diwali at a special event held at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London.

'This is a form of piracy': Judge slams bogus car clamper who demanded £150 to release vehicles in Manchester city centre

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:04:29 -0000

A judge condemned the activities of a bogus clamper as modern-day ‘piracy’ after he was found guilty of blackmailing motorists.

Mohammed Asif Ashraf touted himself as a licensed ‘vehicle immobiliser’.

Fire kills 15 in India

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:09:32 -0000

A fire tore through a makeshift tent at a gathering of thousands of eunuchs in the Indian capital, killing 15 people and injuring at least 36 others, police said.

Emergency workers said yesterday's blaze was most likely caused by an electrical short and quickly spread through the tent, which was about 100 feet long.

Rochdale family under siege as yobs attack home

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:34:13 -0000

A mother and her four children locked themselves in a bedroom as a gang of yobs pelted their home with stones.

Ghazala Yasmeen said she feared for her life during the attack at her Milnrow home.

Muslim Jewish Forum to launch business network

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:17:20 -0000

The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester is starting a business networking arm which will meet on Sunday at Manchester Conference Centre.

The event, which will run from 7pm to 9.30pm, marks the beginning of Interfaith Week.

Dad’s salute to fire heroes who saved his family

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:17:55 -0000

A dad-of-six has thanked the hero firefighters who pulled his family from their burning home.

Ismail Patel, 42, was plucked from the rooftop of his home on Dijon Street, Bolton, along with five of his children after the blaze ripped through the end-terrace house.

Taxi driver had his throat slashed by teenage thug

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:14:52 -0000

A taxi driver is lucky to be alive after he was slashed across the throat by a teenage robber.

Munir Ahmad needed 14 stitches to a deep cut beneath his chin and now says he can’t return to his job.

I never asked for cash, claims clamp trial man

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:09:01 -0000

A man accused of running an illegal clamping racket and blackmailing motorists has denied he ever made demands for cash.

Mohammed Asif Ashraf, 31, is alleged to have forced drivers to hand over release fees and to have stolen a man’s car on the pretence of ‘towing’ it, despite his firm not being licensed.

Living in fear: Refugee victim of young thugs

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:29:05 -0000

A refugee who fled Pakistan to make a new life following the murder of her husband has been beaten up by teenagers outside her new home.

Sumaira Akhter came to Rochdale last year after her husband Akhtar Hussain was murdered.

Muhammad has a licence to thrill Blues

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:25:11 -0000

A postal worker is offering a first class souvenir of City’s historic victory over United – despite not even liking football.

Muhammad Amer Lateef paid £500 for the car registration MC61 WON after the Blues trounced the Reds in last month’s Old Trafford derby.

‘Clamping’ boss says he did nothing wrong

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:15:22 -0000

A man accused of helping motorists to dodge speeding fines told a court that there was nothing fraudulent about his business.

Mohammed Asif Ashraf is accused of running the penalty points avoidance scheme and two businesses which blackmailed motorists by threatening to tow away their cars.

Film director wins £30,000 for Rusholme Curry Mile movie that cost him £1.75 to make

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:13:31 -0000

A director has hit the big time after the short film he made on the Curry Mile for just £1.75 scooped a £30,000 prize.

Jason Wingard’s eerie thriller ‘2.20’ was filmed on a shoestring budget in the space of a few nights in Rusholme.

Appeal following Burnley assault

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:53:32 -0000

Police are appealing for information after a man was punched and kicked to the floor.

At around 2:40pm on the 6 November, the 38-year-old man was walking alone along Monk Street in Burnley, when he was approached by a burgundy Volvo Estate car.

Cabbie cleared over pedestrian crossing tragedy

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:32:18 -0000

A taxi driver who knocked down a pensioner at a pedestrian crossing has been cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.

Mohammed Rehman, 43, was found not guilty by majority verdict after a week-long trial at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Doors open to new Sikh temple

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:26:00 -0000

A parade with fireworks and showers of rose petals has marked the opening of Manchester’s biggest Sikh temple.

Around 1,500 Sikhs took part in a procession through Whalley Range and Old Trafford to celebrate the opening of the Sri Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara on Upper Chorlton Road.

£500,000 home of curry house boss saved from demolition by councillors

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:05:39 -0000

A house earmarked for demolition will stay standing after winning a last-minute reprieve.

The house, belonging to businessman Mahboob Malik, on Buxton Road, High Lane, has been at the centre of a planning row for more than two years.

Saudi Arabian teenager in a coma after city centre street attack

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:18:28 -0000

Ibrahim Alharbi, 19, suffered a serious head injury and was in a critical but stable condition following the assault on Peter Street in the early hours of Saturday.

Police believe he was felled by a single blow.

‘Innocent hire car man was bombarded with tickets’

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:09:59 -0000

An innocent man was bombarded with speeding tickets because of ‘bogus clamper’ scam, a court heard.

Mohammed Asif Ashraf, 30, is accused of running a series of ‘dishonest’ enterprises, including unlicensed clamping firms and a scheme which falsely promised drivers they could avoid points.

Tributes as ‘surgeon to the stars’ dies at 79

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:08:37 -0000

A surgeon who treated famous patients including Pope John Paul II has died at the hospital where he spent most of his working life.

Consultant surgeon Wadi Yusuf Nassar, died at Wythenshawe Hospital after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 79.

31 guilty over Muslims' fire deaths

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:18:08 -0000

A court has convicted 31 Hindus of killing dozens of Muslims by setting a building on fire in India's Gujurat state during one of the country's worst rounds of communal violence nine years ago.

For several weeks in 2002, Hindu mobs rampaged through Muslim neighbourhoods, towns and villages in the state in rioting sparked by an arson attack on a train that killed 60 Hindus. Extremists blamed the train attack on Muslims.

Muslims Against Crusades group banned by Home Secretary

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:16:56 -0000

An extremist group involved in the burning of poppies on Armistice Day last year will join the likes of al Qaida on a list of terrorist organisations banned in the UK.

Home Secretary Theresa May said supporting or being a member of Muslims Against Crusades (Mac) will be a criminal offence from tomorrow.

Shop boss loses licence over underage booze sales

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:50:48 -0000

A shop owner who was caught selling booze to underage children three times in two years has had his licence removed.

Trading standards officers sent in underage volunteers to Premier Off Licence on Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, where they were able to buy alcohol without being asked for ID.

Cab driver ‘didn’t see tragic 80-year-old at pedestrian crossing’

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:50:03 -0000

A taxi driver knocked down an 80-year-old woman simply because he didn’t see her, a court was told.

Clarice De-Looze, was mid-way over a pedestrian crossing on Guide Lane, Audenshaw, when a black cab collided with her, causing fatal injuries. The pensioner was just feet away from a refuge island.

Sir Alex Ferguson opens new £16m Burnage Media Arts College

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:48:48 -0000

Sporting legend, Sir Alex Ferguson, visited Burnage Media Arts College today to officially open its new £16million state-of-the-art school building.

He was given a warm welcome by Head Teacher, Ian Fenn, and crowds of excited students who gathered to get a glimpse of the local legend.

Car clamping boss had ‘photocopied fake ID’

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:41:06 -0000

A man accused of running an illegal clamping racket duped drivers into paying cash with a ‘photocopied’ badge, a court heard.

Mohammed Asif Ashraf is accused of running two businesses which blackmailed motorists by threatening to tow away their cars.

Family’s tribute to Oldham ‘bright light’ killed on Eid night out

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:36:42 -0000

A teenager died in a horrific road smash after celebrating the Islamic festival of Eid.

Mohammed Zain, of Fern Street, Oldham, was on the way home from a night out with friends when the red Peugeot he was in hit a telegraph pole.

Clamping boss is accused of blackmailing motorists

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:08:31 -0000

A clamping boss blackmailed dozens of motorists and masterminded a speeding ticket scam, a court heard.

Mohammed Asif Ashraf, 31, is alleged to have forced drivers to hand over release fees, and to have even stolen a man’s car on the pretence of ‘towing’ it, despite his firm not being licensed.

Salford attack victim: 'I could have killed man who stabbed me, so I didn't fight back'

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:04:20 -0000

A chef who was stabbed by a vicious burglar said today: "I didn’t fight back because I would have had to kill him."

Chaudhry Fiaz, 37, was knifed in the thigh during a a 40-minute ordeal at his home in Salford.

Drug dealer ordered to pay back £17,500

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:16:57 -0000

A drug dealer, sentenced to eight months in prison for possession with intent to supply cannabis, has been ordered to pay back £17,500.

Abdus Wahid, 29, formerly of Albert Street, Brierfield, pleaded guilty at Burnley Crown Court in April 2011.

Locked up: Yob cousins who snorted cocaine on Harpurhey shop counter before 'gratuitous' attack on shopkeeper

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:28:07 -0000

A shopkeeper was subjected to a savage assault by thugs who geared up for the attack by snorting cocaine off the counter.

Cousins Declan and Connor Hayes beat up Solat Chaudhry and his friend, Raja Shaiq, in a drug-fuelled frenzy. Their pal, Dean Andrews, joined in the attack while shrieking racial abuse.

Thousands expected to head for Rusholme's Curry Mile to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and the end of the Hajj

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:27:21 -0000

Thousands of people are expected to gather in Rusholme to celebrate a key religious date in the Muslim calendar.

Eid-ul-Adha marks the end of the Hajj – the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

Prolific burglar trapped by copy of Manchester Evening News

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:31:11 -0000

A prolific burglar has been jailed after leaving his fingerprints and handwriting on a copy of the M.E.N.

Gurnaam Singh, 38, left the vital clues at the scene of his crime when he conned his way into a house Old Trafford that was being renovated.

Customers left off road as car dealer closes

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:33:54 -0000

A car dealership has ceased trading with the loss of about 15 jobs.

Rochdale Suzuki, on Crawford Street, Rochdale, closed down last week, leaving customers unable to collect cars they had ordered.

Armed raiders stun and tie up husband and wife at Castleton store

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:31:53 -0000

Husband and wife shopkeepers were shot with a stun gun and tied up during a terrifying armed robbery.

Bhavesh Patel, 27, and his wife Daxsha Patel, 26, were sleeping at their flat above the Booze Zone Plus shop they run in Castleton when the attack took place in the early hours of Friday.

Ordeal of Rochdale woman locked away by parents who disapproved of her marriage

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:08:42 -0000

A woman has told how she was locked away by her parents because they disapproved of her marriage.

The 30-year-old from Rochdale, who wants to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, was held against her will for six months after going to Pakistan for a family wedding.

Students give Macbeth a modern twist

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:22:31 -0000

Students from Burnage Media Arts College will be performing Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, Macbeth this week at the Contact Theatre in Manchester.

The dark tale of supernatural forces is one of four, half-hour Shakespeare plays being performed by Manchester High Schools during the evening.

Pakistani cricketers found guilty of match-fixing plot

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:22:54 -0000

Two Pakistani cricketers have been found guilty of a match-fixing plot during last year's tour of England.

Former Test captain Salman Butt, 27, and fast bowler Mohammad Asif, 28, plotted to bowl deliberate no-balls in the Lord's Test as part of a lucrative betting scam.

One in five north west businesses employ migrant workers

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:43:56 -0000

Despite the government’s calls to reduce the use of migrant workers, one in five north west bosses rely on them to plug the skills gaps in their workforce, new research has revealed.

According to the Close Business Barometer, independently commissioned and published by Close Invoice Finance, of the 20 per cent of employers who hire migrant workers 30 per cent hire them because they are best placed to do the job.

Brothers jailed for heroin supply

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:26:15 -0000

Two brothers from Burnley have been jailed for a total of 10 years and five months after admitting to their part in conspiring to supply heroin.

Mohammed Haider Rasool, 23, of Claughton Street, Burnley was jailed for five years and one month and Mohammed Omar Rasul, 27, of Claughton Street, Burnley was sentenced to five years and four months.

Men wanted for serious assault

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:16:57 -0000

A group of four men are wanted for a serious assault in Bolton.

At 7.39pm on Wednesday 19 October 2011 police were called by the North West Ambulance Service to reports of a man who had been assaulted in Queens Park, Bolton.

Curry house boss loses battle to save dream £500k home in Stockport from being bulldozed

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:50:21 -0000

A bid to save a six-bedroom house in High Lane from demolition now looks set to fail.

Owner Mahboob Malik's hopes of keeping his house on Buxton Lane were bolstered when planning officers recommended his application for approval.

Woman, 26, faces charges a year after body of newborn baby girl found in Bury garden

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:42:18 -0000

A woman has been charged with neglect more than a year after a newborn baby was found dead in a front garden.

Fatima Ali, 26, of Alfred Street, Bury, has been charged with concealing a live birth and neglect offences under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons’ Act.

North west's law chief: ‘Defend yourself, but don’t become a vigilante’

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:13:27 -0000

Householders have been warned against vigilante attacks on burglars after three men were told they would not face charges for stabbing intruders to death.

Nazir Afzal, the chief crown prosecutor for the north west, said the high-profile cases did not mean the law had changed.

Jail for polygamist who tried to fake second wife’s passport

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:15:43 -0000

A polygamist has been jailed for attempting to fake a passport to bring a second wife into the UK from Bangladesh.

Rois Ali, 51, applied for a passport for his second wife Isha Akhtar using his eldest child Salina Khatun’s details.

England defeat India in Twenty20

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:06:00 -0000

England Twenty20 captain Graeme Swann admitted there is still plenty to work on after a convincing a six-wicket win over India ended the side's losing run in the last match of the tour.

Muslim cleric tortured in Libya for months comes home - and meets new daughter for first time

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:38:41 -0000

A Muslim cleric captured and tortured for months in Libya has told how he wept for joy when he returned to England – and finally got to meet his new baby daughter.

Mustafa Graf, 40, has spoken for the first time since his dramatic flight from the war-torn country.

'Slumdog Millionaire' triumph

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:53:07 -0000

A poor government clerk from eastern India has become the first person to win the jackpot on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?.

Sushil Kumar earned £75 a month working in a government office in the state of Bihar before he gave all the right answers on the popular TV show.

Sonio Singh heads new team at Davis Blank Furniss

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:42:42 -0000

Manchester law firm Davis Blank Furniss today launched a specialist healthcare division led by corporate partner Sonio Singh. The team will focus on working with dental practices, GP surgeries and partnerships, pharmacies, care homes and childcare operations.

Hajj pilgrims ready to leave for Mecca

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:35:21 -0000

Preparations, including special airport arrangements, are being made ahead of thousands of Muslims flying from Manchester on their Hajj pilgrimage.

More than 10,000 pilgrims are expected to pass through Manchester Airport's doors on their way to Mecca between now and November 3.

Oldham dad’s mission to save brother, 8, after family massacred in Pakistan

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:28:24 -0000

A devastated family are battling to bring an eight-year-old boy to safety after a horrific massacre of their relatives in Pakistan.

Naveed Hamid, 24, received the horrific news that his parents, younger brother and sister had been brutally slaughtered in their home in Kakra Town.

Eid-inspired lunch is a fundraising buffet delight

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:54:42 -0000

Rochdale Council staff attended a special charity buffet during their lunch break, raising more than £400 for charity.

Employees based at Fashion Corner in Drake Street sold over 50 tickets for the event, which was staged yesterday to celebrate the end of Eid.

Boy, 9, survives steel door crush horror at Rochdale mosque car park

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:59:33 -0000

A nine-year-old boy was crushed in a freak accident. Zuhaib Zulfiqar faces a three-month stay in hospital after his right thigh bone was broken.

A metal door propped against a wall fell onto the youngster when he went to retrieve a football in a car park owned by Rochdale Central Mosque in Mere Street.

Manchester United to exploit commercial opportunities in Asia

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:00:43 -0000

Manchester United could take advantage of cricket's slump in popularity to exploit more commercial opportunities in the Asian sub-continent, it was claimed today.

The club added Zong, one of Pakistan's major mobile telephone companies, to its portfolio of commercial partners today.

Translator for blue badge cheats caught using disabled mothers blue badge

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:55:17 -0000

A court translator who worked with blue badge cheats has been caught scamming the system himself - by using his disabled mum’s permit to get free parking.

Hamid Alemi, 57, who has also worked as a police and Home Office interpreter, was caught in Manchester city centre while his mother was at home, a court heard.

BBC to screen Asian sitcom

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:43:47 -0000

BBC1 bosses have commissioned their first Asian sitcom for the channel, Citizen Khan.

The series has been created by journalist, presenter and comic Adil Ray whose character Mr Khan has previously featured in online sketches, on radio and in BBC2's Bellamy's People.

Pictures: Durga Puja celebrated in Manchester

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:32:08 -0000

A grand Durga Puja was celebrated in Manchester marking one of the most important festivals in the calendar for the Bengali Hindu community.

The festival of Mother Durga, which was organised by the Greater Manchester Bengali Hindu Cultural Association, and held at the Gandhi Hall in Withington, is especially celebrated in the Eastern states of India during autumn.

Diners to help flood victims

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 09:34:45 -0000

A charity dinner to raise money for people affected by the recent flooding in Pakistan will take place next week.

More than 500 people have died and four million made homeless following the flooding in the province of Sindh.

Thieves steal 28 pieces of jewellery

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:01:49 -0000

Hundreds of pounds worth of jewellery was stolen from a house in Ashton.

Twenty-eight items were taken in total after thieves forced their way in through the window of the house on Alexandra Road.

The delights of Diwali

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:01:49 -0000

Colourful celebrations lit up Tameside for the festival of Diwali.

The celebrations started with a blessing ceremony outside Ashton town hall and the switch-on of the Diwali lights.

Kasim’s award honour

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:01:45 -0000

A talented business student has been honoured with a prestigious college award for his outstanding grades.

Kasim Maqsood, of Stonecross Close, Accrington, received the Achievement in Success award after achieving a triple distinction in his National Diploma in Business qualification.

Mosque toolkit will help engage young people

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:01:41 -0000

A revolutionary toolkit on how Mosques in Kirklees could better engage with young people is being launched this weekend at a seminar organised by the town's Imams and Mosques Advisory Board.

Cracking down on kerb crawling and prostitution

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:01:40 -0000

Police are cracking down on sex workers who blight Oldham’s communities.

Operation Dalmore began in May after concerns from Werneth and Westwood residents.

Jailed, pillar of community who assaulted boy

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:01:39 -0000

A man said to be a pillar of his community has been jailed for six years after attempting to carry out a serious sex assault on a boy.

Firuj Miah, 62, took the youngster to a wooded area and attacked him, Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told.

Brierfield men charged with child sex offences

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:01:53 -0000

Four men from Brierfield are due to appear in court charged in connection with the sexual exploitation of two 14-year-old girls.

Shiraz Afzal, 25, of Mansfield Crescent is charged with conspiracy to rape a child; Omar Mazafer, 21, of Halifax Road is charged with conspiracy to rape a child and Mohammed Suleman Farooq, 22, of Berry Street is charged with conspiracy to rape a child.

Landlords lived in luxury while tenants had to pay for squalor

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:57:45 -0000

Slum landlords who lived a life of luxury while the tenants faced squalor have been jailed.

Israr Fazal and his son, Shahbaz, were jailed for three months for renting out 'death trap' flats to immigrant families.

Bangladeshi restaurant entrepreneur honoured

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:43:29 -0000

Bangladeshi businessman and philanthropist, Siraj Ali has been awarded the British Bangladeshi Who’s Who ‘Outstanding Contribution’ Award 2011 for his long standing contribution to the hospitality and catering industry.

Event raises awareness about mental health

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:33:07 -0000

An event in Bury helped to raise awareness and remove the stigma attached to mental health.

Muslim Jewish Forum's first visit to British Muslim Heritage Centre

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:25:09 -0000

Members of the Muslim and Jewish community took a tour of the British Muslim Heritage Centre in Manchester over the weekend.

It was the first visit by members of the Muslim Jewish Forum to the centre in Whalley Range which was opened in 2006 on the former site of the former GMB National College.

Life for pals who blamed each other after killing dad-of-two

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:17:49 -0000

Two men who beat a father-of-two to death after a drunken night out have been jailed for life.

James Tierney, 41, died after Aisar Khan and Dale Duncan, both 21, stamped repeatedly on his face and battered him with a drainpipe torn from a wall.

Blue Badge cheat used his disabled nephew’s pass to park luxury 4X4

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:12:41 -0000

A man has been fined after using his nephew’s disabled badge to park his luxury 4X4 for free.

Khizzar Hayat, 30, pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a disabled person’s badge when he appeared before Manchester magistrates.

Drugs haul sent through post

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:10:13 -0000

Two men involved in a drug smuggling operation which would have put more than half a million pounds worth of heroin on the streets of Greater Manchester have been jailed for a total of 14 years.

Andrew Clark, 27, from Middleton, and Abnan Irshad, 29, from Oldham, both played a crucial role in the deadly business, which involved processing packages of the drug sent by parcel post from Pakistan.

Young blood at the cutting edge of CSI

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:41:00 -0000

A young scientist trying to unlock the riddle of brutal crime scenes has found herself at the forefront of forensic work.

Meerna El-Sayed has made important discoveries about the effect of prescribed drugs on blood splatter patterns.

Jailed, ‘high risk’ pervert who tried to grab schoolgirl

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:37:52 -0000

A pervert who tried to snatch a girl off the street has been caged after being labelled a ‘high risk’ to children.

Satya Chavalla crept up behind his victim, grabbed her by the arms and hissed ‘come, come’ as she walked home from school in north Manchester.

Mum’s star-studded charity cookbook is going down a treat

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:34:33 -0000

A mum who was told her son would never walk or talk again is out to thank the hospital that helped his amazing recovery – by creating a star-studded cookbook.

Parveen Ahmed’s son Hashim fell into a two-month coma when he was struck down by a mystery virus after contracting tonsillitis.

Blackberry gives customers £63 of free apps to apologise for loss of service

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:36:03 -0000

Millions of people whose BlackBerry smartphones were hit by service problems for more than three days will be offered free apps worth at least 100 US dollars (£63), the company behind the phones said today.

Police quiz pupils after boy injured in ‘race attack’ outside Bramhall High school

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:17:14 -0000

Umar Xsayf-Allah, a student at Bramhall High, was set upon by a group of pupils outside the school gates. His father Nasir says the attackers hurled racist abuse at his boy while raining down punches and kicks.

Now police officers are quizzing pupils about the attack, at a bus stop outside the Seal Road school.

Waterloo stars a class act

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:01:15 -0000

It was a case of art imitating life when leading stars of the TV school drama Waterloo Road visited a real school in Rochdale.

Alec Newman, who plays headteacher Michael Byrne and Chris Geere, who plays music and drama teacher Matt Wilding in the hit BBC1 show, had lunch with pupils at Broadfield Community Primary School and held a masterclass question and answer session.

Teachers’ exchange

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:01:14 -0000

Teachers from India visited pupils at Greenbank Primary School in Rochdale to share their culture.

Sister Melissa, headteacher at Mount Carmel School (MCCS) in Mangalore, and senior teacher Sujatha Alberqueque visited the school as part of the Global Schools Partnership funded by the British Council.

Four charged over kidnap of woman

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:01:12 -0000

Four people have been charged with the kidnap of a woman.

Shortly before 11pm last Wednesday (October 5), police received reports that a woman was seen being bundled into the back of a car on Grasmere Street, Falinge, Rochdale.

Legal team beating downturn

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:01:11 -0000

Rochdale is home to a top legal firm which is beating the recession and the ongoing problems with the tram works – and is even looking to expand.

Adamson Legal, based at the bottom end Drake Street, moved to the town in March after relocating from south Manchester.

Rapping teachers are right on song as they pick up a £60k video gong

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:53:41 -0000

Two teachers at Oldham Sixth Form College have won £60,000 for inventing rhymes to help pupils learn about weighty issues such as Marxism and feminism.

CCTV of bus sex attacker

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:28:51 -0000

A teenager was sexually assaulted on a bus travelling from Failsworth to Manchester.

Jailed: Cheetham Hill man caught driving with loaded gun in his trousers

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:10:20 -0000

A man caught driving around with a loaded gun stuffed down his trousers has been jailed for six years.

Amir Hussain was arrested after police in an unmarked vehicle pulled over the car he was in on Huxley Avenue in Cheetham Hill, a court heard.

Bolton accountancy student receives prestigious award

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:29:43 -0000

Tasneem Kotwal, a student at the University of Bolton received an outstanding achievement award from the the Bolton Society of Chartered Accountants during its annual dinner at the Reebok Stadium recently.

The award celebrates the achievements of the most outstanding accountancy student and Tasneem demonstrated high determination on the road to academic success when four years ago she took her first steps to a career in accountancy with a degree course.

Drug dealing cousins from Oldham had £40k of cannabis and cash

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:18:51 -0000

A pair of drug dealing cousins have been jailed after police seized more than £40,000 in cannabis and cash.

Shazad and Asad Hussain admitted money laundering and possessing class B drugs with intent to supply.

Air passenger caught with eight live birds hidden in his luggage at Manchester Airport

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:13:06 -0000

A man hid eight live birds between dinner plates in his luggage on a flight from Pakistan to Manchester.

Muhammad Imran, 29, was stopped by UK Border Agency officials after landing at Manchester Airport following a two-week holiday.

Wisden to launch Indian edition

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:54:47 -0000

The owner of cricket bible Wisden is to launch a separate Indian edition as it looks to tap into demand from fans in the sport's fastest-growing market.

Wisden India will focus on all areas of the Indian game from Test matches through to domestic cricket and has set itself the aim of becoming the independent voice of cricket in the sub-continent.

Ban on foreign young spouses entering the UK overturned

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:10:40 -0000

The Supreme Court has today ruled that a ban on non-EU foreign spouses under the age of 21 coming to the UK as unlawful.

Prison for Oldham drug dealer who sold heroin to police

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:25:36 -0000

A drug dealer who sold cocaine and heroin to undercover police officers has been locked up for at least 18 months.

Alamin Hoque turned from user to a peddler of drugs to try to pay off an £8,000 drug debt he had built up.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines to fly direct from Manchester to Dhaka

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:16:48 -0000

Passengers from the north west will be able to fly direct from Manchester Airport to Dhaka, Bangladesh starting next month.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national flag carrier of Bangladesh, will commence a twice weekly service from Manchester to Dhaka this winter.

Libya prisoner back home to Chorlton – to cuddle his daughter for first time

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:07:46 -0000

A religious leader imprisoned during the uprising in Libya is back with his family in Manchester – including a baby daughter who was born while he was held captive.

Mustafa Graf was held in a Tripoli jail after returning to his native country to help family members escape when war against Colonel Gadaffi's regime broke out.

A grade cousins talk language of success

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:45:30 -0000

A pair of cousins have become two of the youngest students in the UK to achieve A grades in GCSE Arabic.

Adam Tahir and Eesa Tayyab, were just 10-years-old when they were given special dispensation to sit the exam at Rochdale Girls School this summer.

Debenhams launches hosiery for all skin tones

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:23:51 -0000

Department store Debenhams has launched a range of ‘invisible’ skin tone hosiery for Asian and black women.

The nude range is availabale for women with fair, medium and dark skin.

Crash for cash fraudsters plead guilty

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:44:23 -0000

Six people who staged a crash and tried to make a bogus insurance claim have pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

Yusuf Mohammed Wasway, 25, of Cherry Street, Blackburn; Aziz Bham, 23, of Addington Street and Hodder Place, Blackburn; Ibrahim Seedat, 28, of Wareham Street, Blackburn; Ismail Seedat, 24, of Bethel Road, Blackburn; Sabina Patel, 26, of Cherry Street, Blackburn and Ahmed Patel, 29, of Town Walk, Blackburn all appeared at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Monday 10 October).

'Baby swap' cruelty couple get five years

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:26:03 -0000

A Blackburn couple said to have swapped the identity of their dead baby daughter to her twin sister in a bid to cover injuries they inflicted have been jailed for five years.

The seven-month-old was rushed to hospital in Blackburn after her parents reported she had breathing difficulties, and was pronounced dead shortly after.

Family Bargains opens discount store in Congleton

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:01:24 -0000

The group which owns the 99p Stores chain is to roll out its new bargain retail brand across Cheshire and Greater Manchester, beginning with a launch tomorrow in well-heeled Congleton.

Bolton footballer sues top surgeon for £10m claim that botched operation wrecked career

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:02:48 -0000

Sharu Naraji, 27, from Bolton, is suing an American sports injury specialist for at least £10m, claiming negligent surgery prevented him playing for a team in England’s top-flight.

Mr Naraji, of Winslow Road, brought his case before London’s High Court, and listened as his lawyer described his vain attempts to return to his former best after the operation in November 2006.

Man ordered to pay back assets following car cloning conspiracy

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:25:52 -0000

A convicted criminal, who was involved in a conspiracy to clone stolen top-of-the-range vehicles, has been ordered to pay back over £180,000.

Padala Satti Reddy, aged 28 of Town Street, Armley has been given 6 months to pay back £181,368.80 or face an extra two-and-a-half years in jail.

Grooming case rape suspect on the run

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:21:38 -0000

A man suspected of rape has gone on the run. Muhammed Shahzad was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into child exploitation in Rochdale.

He was one of a number of men arrested earlier this year as part of a probe by Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team into claims that a gang of Asian men groomed girls as young as 13 for sex.

It would be knockout for Obama to watch me fight

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:18:54 -0000

Boxer Amir Khan is hoping to get the American president at ringside for his next fight.

Khan, from Bolton, will defend his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles against Lamont Peterson at the Washington DC Convention Centre on December 10.

Surge in breast cancer cases in Asian women, say Manchester experts

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:45:38 -0000

The number of Asian women being struck by breast cancer is soaring, according to Manchester experts.

Doctors at the Nightingale Centre and Genesis Prevention Centre, based at Wythenshawe hospital, say they have seen a rise in the number of British Asian women diagnosed with the disease over the past year.

Restaurant boss jailed for illegal workforce

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:01:13 -0000

A restaurant boss who built up an illegal workforce in his curry houses has been jailed for six months.

Shafiqul Haque, from Newbold, profited off employing the migrant workers by paying them little or nothing at all.

‘Muscle’ man spared jail for part in £1.8m bootleg booze scam

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:01:12 -0000

A man who worked as the 'muscle' for a gang which distributed £1.8million of bootleg booze across England and Scotland has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Mohammed Vaqas, 28, was part of a massive fraud to avoid paying UK duty on thousands of litres of beer, spirits and wine.

Three people in court over drug haul

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:01:12 -0000

Three people will appear in court next week after police seized Class A drugs with a street value of more than £750,000.

Aadil Ahmed, 29, of Sparthfield Avenue, deeplsih, is charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and three counts of offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

Late starter Maryam goes to top of class

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:01:10 -0000

A student who moved to England when she was 13 and home schooled until 16 has received top marks in her exams.

Maryam Rana has now secured a place at Manchester University after receiving a triple distinction in her course at Hopwood Hall College.

Five years on: Fire deaths still haunt girls’ grandma

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:44:04 -0000

A grandmother has spoken of her never-ending pain on the week that two of her granddaughters should have celebrated their 18th and 21st birthdays.

Sayrah and Sophia Riaz and their two sisters Alicia and Hannah died when their father started a fire at their family home in 2006, because he was unable to accept their westernised ways.

The Olive Tree promotes healthy living

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:30:18 -0000

Owners of a new barbeque and grill restaurant have been working with local organisations to promote healthier eating.

The Olive Tree on Yorkshire Street, Rochdale was official launched by Mayor Alan Godson and Mayoress Gillian Brown over the weekend.

On their marks for charity

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:22:41 -0000

A team of generous runners braved the rain last weekend to help raise money for the Horn of Africa.

A charity run through Westwood, Oldham was organised by Noor Islam, who works at Oldham Academy North, to help raise money for international charity Ummah Welfare Trust’s humanitarian efforts for people in Africa.

Caring cadets help little Haris

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:20:33 -0000

Little Haris Mahmood is a step closer to getting new sensory equipment thanks to a team of generous volunteers and football fans.

Cadets from the air training corps in Lees, Oldham carried out a bucket collection for children’s charity Caudwell at a recent Oldham Athletic game.

Pervert told ‘learn to respect women’

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:07:34 -0000

A pervert was accused by a judge in Manchester of showing a ‘total disregard and lack of respect’ for women.

Gurprett Singh, 31, sexually assaulted two teenage girls in broad daylight in Piccadilly Gardens after showing them a porn film on his mobile phone.

Save my brother and dad from Syria hell

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:05:33 -0000

A Syrian man living in Manchester will join a candlelit vigil tonight to call for the release of his brother and father – held under threat of death by security services.

Haytham Alhamwi,34, has not heard from his dad, Muhammad Yasin Alhamwi, 65, or his brother, Muhammad Al Hamwi, 22, since they were detained in Damascus last week.

Tragic model’s family plead for ‘truth’ about Salford Quays balcony fall

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:23:56 -0000

The family of a catwalk model who fell 150ft to her death from the balcony of a luxury apartment hope an inquest will end their three-year wait for answers.

The circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Sahar Daftary will be examined over five days at the hearing.

Trio of teen yobs are given Oldham town centre bans

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:10:22 -0000

The trouble-makers have been stopped from going to Cheapside bus station after being handed two-year anti-social behaviour orders.

They are Carmen Julien, 15, of Coldhurst, who must not enter the station between 6pm-6am; Alesha Khan, 15, of Werneth, who must not enter between 5pm-7am; and Abu Munahim, 15, of Westwood, who must not go into any part of Oldham town centre.

Network at the National Asian Business Association

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:35:19 -0000

The National Asian Business Association is kicking off a series of events with a networking evening in Manchester next month.

Manager of Bolton boxer Amir Khan takes a hit in defective minibus case

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:28:05 -0000

Boxer Amir Khan’s manager has been rapped after a minibus he loaned out was found to be defective.

Asif Vali runs a private hire taxi firm as well as looking after the Bolton world champion’s business affairs.

Top Indian restaurant East Z East fined for breeching fire regulations

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:26:28 -0000

A popular Indian restaurant has been fined for breaching fire regulations.

East Z East was prosecuted by the fire service and has been hit with a bill of £8,000.

Senior GMP officer bailed again in corruption probe

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:12:12 -0000

A senior police officer has been bailed again as part of an investigation into alleged corruption.

Inspector Mohammed Razaq, who has served the force for 32 years, has now been suspended on full pay for four months.

Sneak thieves’ £35k jewellery raid in shop flat

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:16:19 -0000

A gang is being hunted by police after crooks distracted a shopkeeper and stole jewellery worth £35,000 from a flat upstairs.

Three men and four women went into the Gigi supermarket on Grosvenor Road in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, and distracted Mita Patel 39, so that two female accomplices could sneak upstairs.

Police officer ‘stole £400 from vulnerable Oldham housewife’, jury told

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:55:38 -0000

Pc Julian Maynard, 39, took the money while acting as a courier between the woman and her estranged husband, prosecutors told a jury at Manchester Crown Court. Pc Maynard denies theft.

Four years for violent kidnapping of ex-lover

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:38:04 -0000

A jealous man who kidnapped his ex-partner off the street and subjected her to a terrifying late-night ordeal has been locked up for four years.

Zaid Ahmed attacked Kimberley Catlow with a steering lock and made repeated and chilling threats to kill her, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Father’s ‘good luck’ find inside tomato

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:30:33 -0000

A father-of-one says he feels very blessed after finding the word Allah inside a tomato.

Naveed Hanis, 37, was slicing tomatoes and cucumbers for a salad and was stunned when he cut into the piece of fruit to find the word Allah in Arabic inside it.

11 to stand trial over child sex ring claims

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:49:40 -0000

Eleven men are to stand trial accused of being part of a sexual exploitation ring involving under-age girls.

Kabeer Hassan, 24, Abdul Aziz, 43, Abdul Rauf, 42, Mohammed Sajid, 34, Adil Khan, 41, Abdul Qayyum, 43, Mohammed Amin, 44, Qamar Shahzad, 29, Liaquat Shah, 41, and Hamid Safi, 21, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court charged with conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

Jailed: Rapist who prowled streets of south Manchester looking for lone young women

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:03:24 -0000

A takeaway worker has been jailed indefinitely for raping two young women and striking fear across south Manchester.

Asim Javed, 21, was caught following a huge response to a ground-breaking e-fit image of the suspect after a string of late-night sex attacks. He prowled the streets of Didsbury, Chorlton and Fallowfield looking for victims before carrying out vicious rapes.

Who is this man? Mystery of picture sent from student's stolen Blackberry phone after he was killed by bus

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:55:25 -0000

The missing mobile phone of a student who was knocked down by a bus as he chased a thief who stole it has been used to sent a mysterious picture message.

Video: Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport reopened after security alert

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:51:12 -0000

A terminal at Manchester Airport has reopened after a security alert.

All passengers and staff were evacuated after police discovered a suspicious bag, believed to be in the security search area in Terminal One, at 10.20am this morning.

Can you help me, miss? I’m a bit stuck

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:04:40 -0000

The heat was on for a little girl who got her arm trapped between a radiator pipe and whiteboard at her new school.

Hafsa Hussain, four, a reception pupil at Moss Park Infants in Stretford, was rescued by firefighters using a wrench.

Heartbroken: Anguish of Hyde mum whose son died in asthma tragedy

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:57:24 -0000

A mum has told an inquest of her heartbreak after her eight-year-old son collapsed into her arms following a fatal asthma attack.

Mohammed Jubaer Ahmed had been diagnosed with the disease when he was just six months. An inquest in Manchester heard how the much-loved schoolboy collapsed on the sofa after an asthma attack at his Hyde home.

Bury College girl slashed by teen: I’ll never forgive ‘animal’ who left me needing 400 stitches

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:54:54 -0000

A student scarred for life after she was slashed across the face by a girl armed with razor blades has branded her attacker an animal.

Sabby Mir, 18, needed more than 400 stitches to close horrific wounds.

Cabbie who drove off after crash walks free

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:01:53 -0000

A taxi driver who drove off after a collision leaving a 16-year-old boy lying unconscious in the road has walked free from court.

The court heard that Imran Ahmed, pictured, tried to conceal evidence of the collision in Blackburn, which left Liam Sears fighting for his life.

Summer ends with picnic in the park

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:40:18 -0000

Members of the Muslim Jewish Forum held their end of summer picnic at Heaton Park in the weekend.

Twenty one people of all ages attended the fete including two month old Emma Fyne, who became the youngest ever person to attend a Forum event.

Teenager admits she slashed Bury College girl's face with razor in 'fight over a boy'

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:32:00 -0000

A teenage girl has admitted slashing a girl student across the face with a razor blade during a fight over a boy.

The 17-year-old girl viciously attacked Sabby Mir in a subway near to Bury College in Bury town centre.

Spared jail, thug who beat up his ex-girlfriend in street

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:33:29 -0000

A man left his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend lying on a pavement after beating her up in broad daylight.

But Ali Ismail, 19, was arrested by a passing police crew as he walked off with friends, a judge at Manchester magistrates court heard.

Thugs punch and kick gran of eight in robbery terror

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:32:21 -0000

Masked thugs wrapped a grandma in a duvet and rained kicks and punches on her during a terrifying robbery.

Murazia Saeed, 65, was getting ready for prayers at her house in Chorlton when the thugs climbed in through a window and crept upstairs.

Extremists jailed for trying to recruit Taliban fighters from Longsight market stall 'plan to appeal'

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:26:05 -0000

Three men jailed over a plot to recruit Taliban fighters to kill British soldiers in Afghanistan are set to appeal their convictions.

Munir Farooqi, 54, who believed killing troops was an ‘obligation’, was this month handed four life sentences.

Brothers jailed for 'crash for cash' scam

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:51:49 -0000

Two brothers at the heart of one of the country’s biggest ever 'crash for cash' scams have been jailed.

Rezwan Javed and his older brother Rehan each benefited by about £1m from the scam.

Walking back to happiness

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:42:44 -0000

After a stroke at the age of just 31 Farah Ayyub set off on the long and sometimes painful process of becoming independent again.

"I felt a failure. I couldn’t do anything for myself," says Farah.

Twins joined at head are 1-in-10 million little miracles

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:37:03 -0000

A team of British doctors have successfully separated twin girls born joined at the head, it has been revealed.

Baby girls Rital and Ritag Gaboura, who are only 11 months old, had four operations at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. The sisters, who were born in Khartoum, Sudan, have overcome incredible odds – only one in 10 million survive the rare condition of craniopagus.

Facebook plot dad booked into hotel with girl

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:11:16 -0000

A takeaway worker who checked into a hotel with a runaway schoolgirl has been locked up.

Married dad-of-four Fazal Hussain booked two nights in a double room at the Palatine Hotel in Didsbury with the teenager after wooing her on Facebook.

What do you call a baby born in a car? Meet Chrysler!

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:21:23 -0000

A baby born in her parents’ car is unlikely to forget her dramatic arrival – after being named Chrysler.

Shafilea Ahmed's parents granted bail

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:06:06 -0000

A couple accused of murdering their daughter have been granted bail at Manchester Crown Court .

Iftikhar, 51, and Farzana Ahmed, 48, are accused of killing Shafilea, 17, in 2003. They were charged with murder a fortnight ago and have been remanded in custody since.

Longsight market Taliban fanatic 'sent more than 20 recruits to fight British forces in Afghanistan'

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:50:30 -0000

Munir Farooqi, who ran a Taliban 'recruiting agency' from a market stall in Longsight, Manchester, may have sent more than 20 men to fight British troops in Afghanistan, police believe.

Jailed: 'Dangerous extremist' and his gang who tried to recruit Taliban fighters from Longsight market stall

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:08:03 -0000

Three members of a terror cell who plotted to recruit fighters for the Taliban from market stalls in Manchester city centre and Longsight were jailed today.

Parents of Shafilea Ahmed appear in court via video link

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:15:00 -0000

The parents of teenager Shafilea Ahmed - whose body was found in a river eight years ago - have appeared at Manchester Crown Court charged with her murder.

Iftikhar Ahmed, 51, and mum Farzana, 48, both of Liverpool Road, Warrington, appeared via video link from prison accused of the 17-year-old.

Parents appear in court charged with murder of 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:49:49 -0000

The parents of 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed today appeared in court charged with their daughter's murder. Shafilea's decomposed remains were discovered on the banks of a river in Cumbria in February 2004.

Group jailed in teenage rape plot case

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 23:02:09 -0000

Three men and a woman have been jailed for plotting to subject two teenage girls to a terrifying rape ordeal in Accrington in December 2009.

Amjad Hussain, his brother Shahid Hussain, Tanveer Butt and Stephanie Knight were all convicted following a three week trial at Burnley Crown Court last month.

Asian wedding decorator Nadia steps up to the plate

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 23:01:51 -0000

A mum who makes decorative plates, baskets and platters for Asian weddings has turned her hobby into a business after being inundated with requests from family and friends.

Nadia Arif, 33, from Ashton-under-Lyne, creates the plates and baskets for pre-wedding celebrations known as the mendhi evening, when a bride’s hands and feet are decorated with henna, and for the big day itself.

From cabs to confectionery

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:22:53 -0000

A young family has opened a newsagents in the shadow of Rawtenstall’s Valley Centre.

But the unsociable working hours are not a problem for former cabbie Abdul Younas.

Sex attack cabbie walks free

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:18:13 -0000

A Rawtenstall cabbie who sexually attacked a terrified woman passenger twice has walked free from court.

The sentence was passed after the judge said she had to follow guidelines.

Tough lessons to learn as racist incidents rise

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:17:21 -0000

Racist incidents in Oldham's classrooms have increased by almost a third.

New figures show 396 cases of abusive language, racist graffiti and violence were reported in Oldham primary and secondary schools last year.

Lottery cash saves women’s group

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:13:15 -0000

A local women’s organisation has been saved from the brink of closure thanks to a grant of £193,000.

The Westwood and Coldhurst Women’s Association in Oldham has been given the cash boost over the next three years by the Big Lottery Fund.

Joy as girls gain GCSE at 10 and 11

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:09:47 -0000

A maths wonder-girl is celebrating getting an A at GCSE – aged just 10.

Mehak Shahid from Oldham was just nine when she started studying for the exams with a private tutor after school.

Pop art hits the right note

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:06:43 -0000

A community project has been striking a chord with musical youngsters.

The eight to 13 year olds from Werneth and Chadderton in Oldham were taught how to play Oasis's Wonderwall on guitars they customised.

Flying the flag for Eid

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:03:38 -0000

Rusholme burst into life with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Hundreds of Muslims descended on the Curry Mile to mark the end of Ramadan and a month of fasting.

Coroner reopens inquest into death of mum who warned police husband would kill her

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:46:21 -0000

The family of a young mum murdered by her violent husband have won their battle for a new inquiry - after a coroner made the extraordinary decision to hold a full inquest into her death.

Sabina Akhtar, 26, was stabbed to death by her husband Malik Mannan despite her warning police that he had already attacked her 25 times and would murder her unless stopped.

Passenger suffers fractured skull in attack on Wilmslow Road bus

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:20:36 -0000

Police have released pictures of two men they want to speak to after a man aged in his 30s suffered a fractured skull in an attack on a bus running from Piccadilly to Didsbury in Manchester.

Top praise for teen’s faith film

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:33:56 -0000

A teenage film-maker has won acclaim for a film exploring Islamophobic prejudice and a boy’s pride in his faith.

Harris Alvi, of Kirkhill Avenue, Haslingden, is a finalist in global film competition Faith Shorts, organised by The Tony Blair Faith Foundation.

Thousands head to the Rusholme Curry Mile to celebrate Eid

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:57:49 -0000

Thousands of people are expected to gather in the 'curry mile' in Rusholme, Manchester, over the next few days to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid.

Muslims from across the country are expected to join the party on Wilmslow Road between Monday and Wednesday.

Chef’s superstore surprise

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:01:52 -0000

Award winning chef Aazam Ahmad raised a few eyebrows in the aisles as he brought his live cookery show into a supermarket.

The popular BBC Fusion Chef visited the ASDA store in Rochdale, setting up his own mini kitchen before demonstrating his cooking skills in front of customers, as part of the run up to the Feel Good Festival.

£20,000 benefit cheat married to her ‘landlord’

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:01:49 -0000

A mum-of-five fraudulently claimed £20,000 in benefits by pretending her husband was an unrelated landlord.

Shima Das said she had no relation to the man who owned her house in Chadderton to get support for housing and council tax.

Terror as car torched in ‘racist attack’

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:01:46 -0000

A mum has described the moment her husband fled from an exploding car – torched in what police believe was a racist attack.

The Asian couple were at their home on Davyhulme Road East, Stretford, when the 44-year-old woman decided to drive to the shops.

Teacher speaks out over assault

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:01:57 -0000

A mosque teacher who assaulted four pupils with a two-foot long stick says he is hoping to put the episode behind him after he was given a community sentence.

Married dad-of-eight Ibrahim Yusuf, 52, admitted hitting the children while under his tuition at the Raza Jamia Masjid Mosque, Grimshaw Street, Accrington.

Children of Jannah makes special visit to children's hospital

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:01:54 -0000

Children of Jannah, an organisation created to support bereaved parents and families, made an extra special visit to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to deliver new toys following a specially arranged fundraising campaign.

Volunteers hand delivered cheerful gift bags to the hospital, which receives over 180,000 patient visits from children and young people each year.

Graffiti ‘tagger’s’ £100k damage

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:01:34 -0000

A notorious graffiti ‘tagger’ from Accrington who caused £100,000 worth of damage to trains and a sports ground in London has admitted his spree.

Ishak Hussain, 19, of Steiner Street, Accrington, who covered train carriages in his ‘ENDA’ tag after sneaking into a train depot in Grove Park, must wait to hear his fate.

Relay reader strikes gold

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:00:45 -0000

A bookworm has been rewarded after reading 50 books during his summer holidays.

Faiz Mahmood, seven, has received a Gold Award for his participation in Rishton Library’s Relay Readers programme.

Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni tobe honoured by university

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:44:20 -0000

Indian cricketing legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni is to be honoured by De Montfort University when the team plays Leicestershire in a tour match at Grace Road next week.

Mahendra, who is captain of the Indian cricket team, will become an Honorary Doctor of Letters at a ceremony after the game on Bank Holiday Monday.

Uncle and nephew jailed for conspiracy to import heroin

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:30:09 -0000

Two men have been jailed for their part in conspiring to import 1.31kg of heroin.

Bilal Suleman, aged 22, of Batley, West Yorkshire, received a custodial sentence of four years and eight months for conspiring to import heroin, whilst his uncle, Zaber Khan, received a sentence of two years and eight months for purchasing a mobile phone, which was then used in the commission of the offence.

Holy day seens hundreds flock to Hindu celebrations

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:22:52 -0000

More than a thousand Hindu worshippers visited a temple to mark one of the religion's holiest days.

Crowds flocked to the Gita Bhawan Temple in Whalley Range for the annual Krishna Janamashtami day, with around 400 people celebrating into the night.

Appeal for missing man

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:19:25 -0000

Police have issues a new image of a man who remains missing in Keighley.

Thirty-five-year-old Mohammed Bashir has been missing from his home in Dalton Lane since August 4.

Family car attacked by two men with a hammer

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:09:08 -0000

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man and his mother had their car attacked by two men.

The men attacked the car with hammers, but the victims were able to drive off before reporting the incident to the police. They were not injured.

Young author’s got it covered

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:02:31 -0000

A talented young wordsmith from Oldham is celebrating after getting her first book published – aged just eight.

Knowsley junior school pupil Ayra Ali has spent the last 12 months putting together her first collection of short tales in A Pocketful of Stories.

Training will help volunteers to detect cancer early

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:02:47 -0000

Volunteers from the South Asian community are being encouraged to take part in an event to detect early signs of cancer.

As part of the 2011 Detect Cancer Early campaign, a male only day of training say will be held on Saturday 17September 2011 between 9:30am – 4pm at the Trinity House Community Resource Centre on Grove Close, Rusholme, Manchester.

Mosque offers golden chance

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:09:56 -0000

A mosque has opened its doors to the community to help promote a better understanding of Islam and Ramadan

The recently built Golden Mosque on Lower Sheriff Street opened its doors to the Multi Faith Partnership for the event held to try and break down cultural and religious barriers.

Shock as head quits school set up to break down racial barriers

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:39:51 -0000

Hundreds of pupils have urged an inspirational headteacher to stay after he dramatically quit a flagship school.

David Yates stunned teachers and parents by quitting as principal of Waterhead Academy.

Consultant cleared of using patient’s hands for sex act

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:35:38 -0000

A consultant has been cleared for a second time of allegations that he used the hands of sedated patients to perform obscene acts on himself.

Dr Narendra Sharma was cleared by a panel of heath watchdogs – two years after he was acquitted of criminal charges for the same allegations.

Co-operative Pharmacy expands services to help Muslim preparing for Hajj

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:12:04 -0000

The Co-operative Pharmacy is extending its dedicated healthcare service for members of the Muslim community by offering a meningitis vacination package to pilgrims travelling for Hajj and Umrah.

Peachy Pink founder recognised in the '35 women under 35' list

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:02:23 -0000

Peachy Pink founder Shazia Awan has been recognised in Management Today’s ‘35 women under 35’ list of British female high fliers.

The list, published annually by the trade publication seeks to recognise the leading young entrepeneurs of today and is also published in the Sunday Times.

Cabbie launches site to donate unwanted Islamic goods

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:46:02 -0000

Warrington based cab driver, Khalid Bani has launched a new website for Muslims to give away unwanted islamic items which can then be re-sold with all proceeds going to charity.

Khalid decided to set up Barakahbay.com when his local mosque was trying to raise funds to buy their rented building.

Husband and wife on terrorism charges

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:28:24 -0000

A married couple appeared at the Old Bailey today accused of making preparations for terrorism.

Mohammed Sajid Khan, 32, and hairdresser Shasta Khan, 37, of Foster Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester, appeared by videolinks from separate prisons.

Man ‘had instructions how to make a bomb’

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:28:01 -0000

A terror suspect appeared at the Old Bailey today accused of having instructions on how to make poison and a bomb.

Unemployed Asim Kauser, 25, was charged with four offences under the Terrorism Act in relation to material found on a computer pen drive.

Nasrullah’s book dream

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:17:45 -0000

An Islamic scholar has finally had his fantasy/sci-fi novel published after working on it for half of his life.

Nasrullah Anwar, 33, has written The Changling King which he believes will become the next big thing in fantasy and science fiction writing.

Help give a ray of hope

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 09:58:35 -0000

A father who moved to Pakistan from Oldham to help the poor and needy is appealing for help from his friends back in the borough.

Mahboob Kakrvi is originally from Pakistan but lived in the UK from 1976 until five years ago when he decided to return.

New associate joins the ranks at Gateley

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:02:12 -0000

Law firm Gateley has recruited a new senior associate in Manchester to spearhead its expansion into the field of business immigration.

Employment lawyer Rizwana Ishaq joins the firm from Eversheds with a remit to grow its business immigration department, while continuing to advise clients on employment matters.

Flying flag for freedom

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:33:18 -0000

The flag of Pakistan was raised above the town hall to celebrate the country's independence day.

The annual ceremony, which has taken place in Rochdale for more than 20 years, was attended by councillors, MPs and community leaders on Saturday.

No excuse for slump insists legend Farokh Engineer

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:38:10 -0000

Farokh Engineer believes he could have made a difference to India’s disastrous tour of England.

Amir Khan rules out Marcos Maidana clash

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:58:36 -0000

Amir Khan has ruled out the possibility of a rematch with Marcos Maidana, instead favouring Erik Morales as his final opponent at light-welterweight.

Argentinian Maidana has attempted to goad Bolton’s Khan into accepting a repeat of their thriller last December by claiming the 24-year-old ‘begged the WBA in writing’ to avoid him.

Sport can help in aftermath of riots says Amir Khan

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:57:42 -0000

Amir Khan believes sport has a critical role to play in combating the "anger and frustration" he blames for last week's outbreak of rioting.

Khan argues that the trouble witnessed in many British cities, most notably London and Manchester, has its roots in the bleak future facing many young people.

Record numbers will miss out on uni place

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:53:00 -0000

Record numbers of teenagers will miss out on university when A-level results are published tomorrow.

Thousands of school and sixth-form college pupils will receive their grades – but a flood of applications for places this year means there will be few options for those who miss their targets.

Asylum and benefits cheat jailed

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:51:09 -0000

An asylum cheat who used a fake identity to stay in the UK and claim benefits has been jailed.

Kiran Shaokat, 39, of Longsight, claimed to be 24-year-old Kiran Ali while receiving ₤a week in Asylum Seekers Support.

Rochdale men jailed for £1.5m pound shop scam

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:47:27 -0000

A pair of Rochdale fraudsters who were part of a gang that took over a chain of pound shops swindling £600,000 of goods have been jailed.

Four Mercedes, two Range Rovers and champagne worth almost £15,000 were among luxury items ordered through shop company QV Stores, formerly known as Supergifts.

Sajid Mahmood is out to end no-ball woes for Lancashire

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:29:17 -0000

Sajid Mahmood has been working hard on cutting out the no-balls which have blighted him over the last few weeks as Lancashire enter the crucial final four matches of the season.

Jailed: The drunken, lying, foul-mouthed police inspector in taxi bust-up

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 05:00:47 -0000

A police inspector has been jailed for six months after he wrongfully arrested a taxi driver while drunk – then lied to cover it up.

Anthony Mee, 38, was found guilty of misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice last month.

Lancashire one win away from Champions League

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:26:16 -0000

SRI Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof is convinced Lancashire’s stars would benefit massively from an Indian summer.

Hopes for new Reds’ ground are ‘aspiration’

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:40:45 -0000

Accrington Stanley chairman Ilyas Khan has insisted the club’s hopes for a new stadium remain an ‘aspiration’ for the time being.

Mr Khan, who helped save the club by paying the majority of a crippling £308,000 tax debt in 2009 and other HMRC debts since, has earmarked the area around Hyndburn Sports Centre in Church as a potential new home for the club.

Landlord fined for unsafe building

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:36:47 -0000

A Rochdale landlord has been fined for allowing tenants to live in a room which had been previously deemed unsafe by Rochdale Council.

Mohammed Aziz, landlord of the licensed house on 256 Ashfield Road, Rochdale, pleaded guilty on 3 August to the offence and was fined £500, plus a victim surcharge of £15.

Shame of hit and run cabbie

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:29:45 -0000

A taxi driver who left a 16-year-old boy lying unconscious in the road after a hit-and-run has been warned he could face prison.

Imran Ahmed, of Accrington, tried to conceal evidence of the incident in Blackburn, which left Liam Sears fighting for his life, magistrates heard.

Community group raises funds to cure blindness in Bangladesh

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:21:58 -0000

The Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project raised over £1000 to help save the sight of poor people in Bangladesh.

The organisation held a charity iftar at Miah's restaurant to raise much needed funds for Vision Bangladesjh.

Medic denies sex assaults during patients’ operations

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:21:23 -0000

A consultant used the hands of sedated patients for obscene acts on himself during abortion procedures, a medical watchdog heard.

Dr Narendra Sharma, who was working at the Marie Stopes clinic in Fallowfield as a locum anaesthetist, is accused of misconduct at the General Medical Council.

Zubair wins schools karting championship

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:01:43 -0000

One of Britain’s most promising young racing drivers, 15-year-old Zubair Hoque, and his classmates took to the podium to celebrate their win at this year’s British School Karting Championship.

Altrincham Grammar School pupil Zubair and his two team-mates Max McGuire, 17 and Alex Wilson, 14 faced stiff competition from over 1,350 students. They made up 450 teams from schools in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Charity gets green light for sports hall

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:01:30 -0000

A charity has been given permission to build a sports hall.

The Indian Association Oldham will also add an IT suite and meeting rooms to its Schofield Street base.

Sunset sessions for fasting sport fans

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:01:28 -0000

Muslim sports fans can still get their kicks during Ramadan thanks to late-night football sessions.

Oldham Athletic Community Trust is running the 'Midnight Kickz' sessions to accommodate the Islamic month of fasting.

Hunt for cabbie after sex attack

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:21:50 -0000

The records of thousands of Manchester taxi drivers are to be checked by police hunting a sex attacker.

Officers are working with the council’s licensing department after a teenager was assaulted by a black-cab driver.

End of an era as nurse retires after 40 years of service

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:12:39 -0000

A nuurse who has spent his entire career at Tameside hospital is retiring – after raising thousands of pounds for good causes.

Manhar Taylor, known as Manni, is saying farewell to colleagues at the hospital after working there for 42 years.

Teen killed cousin and friend in crash

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:05:43 -0000

A teenager who killed his cousin and his childhood friend in a high speed road smash has been jailed for five years.

Zahid Ali, 18, was probably racing another car shortly before the crash on March 10 and was trying to get away from the police, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Shock over school racism

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:06:36 -0000

Thirty-six children were excluded from schools in Rochdale last year for racist behaviour.

New figures show that there were almost 300 racist incidents in the classrooms in 2010, up from 242 on the year before.

Gang guilty of luring girls to horrific rape

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:23:26 -0000

Two Rochdale cousins have been found guilty of taking part in a plot where two teenage girls were raped after being lured to an empty house.

Shahid Hussain, 37, of Drake Street, and Tanveer Butt, 39, of St Alban’s Street, took part in the sickening attack alongside Hussain’s brother Amjad Hussain and Stephanie Knight.

Mosque teacher hit pupils

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:00:56 -0000

A mosque teacher assaulted four pupils, including one with learning difficulties, with a two-foot long pipe because they were misbehaving in class.

A court heard the Accrington mosque had a written policy which urged staff to make sure the welfare of children was paramount and calling for them to be protected from abuse.

Husband and wife from Oldham charged with terrorism

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:50:11 -0000

A husband and wife from Oldham have been charged under the Terrorism Act.

Mohammed Sajid Khan, 33, and Shasta Khan, 37, of Foster Street in Clarksfield, have each been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism and three counts of possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Jury clears three of gunning down shop worker Junaid Khan in Chadderton car park

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:19:09 -0000

Junaid Khan, 21, was blasted to death at around midnight as he walked to his car, which was parked at a doctors’ surgery in Chadderton.

It was alleged in a Manchester Crown Court trial that Milad Finn, 23, Liaquat Khan, 29, and Naveed Shabir, 28, had teamed up to kill Junaid after a long-running personal feud. All three denied murder – and all have now been found not guilty by a unanimous jury.

Hindu fire ceremony was ablaze with colour

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:15:59 -0000

Hundreds of Manchester Hindus took part in a colourful religious ceremony. Worshippers at a Hindu temple in Withington joined in a three-day festival of prayer.

During the Rudra Maha Yagya ceremony, worshippers lit fires and prayed for the blessing of the Hindu god Shiva.

Jail for gang who netted £600,000 in pound store credit swindle

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:59:02 -0000

Four Mercedes, two Range Rovers and champagne worth almost £15,000 were among luxury items ordered through shop company QV Stores, formerly known as Supergifts.

The goods were sold on but never paid for – leaving suppliers across the country out of pocket.

Warning as figures reveal killer disease is increasing

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:57:27 -0000

Nearly 1,000 people are currently suffering from Hepatitis C across Rochdale borough, new figures have shown.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause organ failure. But the potentially life-threatening virus is on the rise.

Jailed: Drug man who came back to Britain from Pakistan face music

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:06:39 -0000

A man who fled to Pakistan after his home drugs laboratory was discovered by police has been locked up for nine years.

Mohammed Imran – also known as Imran Mohammed – cut wholesale amounts of high-purity heroin with everyday chemicals using a kitchen blender.

No smoke without ire: Shisha bar crackdown at Rusholme 'Curry Mile' in Manchester

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:03:24 -0000

More than 30 of the bars – which provide Middle Eastern hookah pipes for people to smoke tobacco – have opened in a quarter-mile stretch of Wilmslow Road, in Rusholme, over the past three years.

Police and council officers also fear some may be flouting the smoking ban or using illicit tobacco. Now they are planning a string of raids and a new voluntary code of conduct.

Amir Khan accuses Timothy Bradley of running scared

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:18:20 -0000

Amir Khan claims Timothy Bradley is too scared to take him on in a showdown to become undisputed light-welterweight king.

A passion for seeing justice done

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:41:33 -0000

The region's new Chief Crown Prosecutor last week made a landmark ruling that a homeowner who stabbed to death a suspected burglar would not be charged with any crime. We talk to Nazir Afzal, a lawyer from a part of inner city Birmingham which was “permanently helping the police with their inquires”.

A picture of evil: Chorlton rapist snared after takeaway customers recognise animated police e-fit

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:52:53 -0000

A takeaway worker has admitted he is the rapist who brought fear across south Manchester – after being snared with the help of a revolutionary animated e-fit image.

Asim Javed, 21, was caught following a huge response to the police ‘evo fit’ of the suspect in a series of late-night sex attacks.

Manchester Mega Mela is a Bollywood world record breaker

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:59:51 -0000

The Manchester Mega Mela took over Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield – bringing a host of performers, artists, craft and food stalls.

The crowd were at the heart of the festivities – breaking the world record for the largest ever Bollywood dance.

Court battle for the refugee with no country

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:14:42 -0000

A man who isn’t recognised as a citizen of any country is to represent himself in court in a battle to stay in Britain.

Hassan Rezaee was just 15 when he arrived in Manchester alone, unable to speak English and with no idea where his parents were.

It wasn’t me, says man accused of gun murder

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:11:33 -0000

A man accused of gunning down a shop worker has told a court he didn’t do it – and was ‘helping a friend’ involved in another shooting at the time of the murder.

Drug dealer Milad Finn, 23, of Lauriston Close, Sharston, Wythenshawe, denies killing Junaid Khan, who died after being shot 16 times in July 2009.

Landlord who rented out death traps was 'living in luxury' in Hale

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 08:51:45 -0000

A landlord has been ordered to pay £42,000 after renting out ‘potential death traps.’

Mohammed Javaid, 38, charged up to £100 a week from tenants at three ‘dangerous’ properties – even after health and safety bosses had banned people from living there.

Fifteen arrested as police mount drug raids in Oldham

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:31:56 -0000

Police conducted dawn raids this morning after seven months of investigation into cocaine and heroin dealing.

Shotgun ammunition was found at an address on Cherry Avenue, Alts, and cannabis recovered from another address. Warrants were executed in the Hathershaw, Chadderton, Westwood, Alts, Werneth and Moorside areas of the borough, as well as a property in Ashton-under Lyne.

Residents learn about dementia

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:51:36 -0000

Bury has been highlighting the issues facing people with dementia and the services available to them and their carers.

The council and its partners held at event at the Jinnah Day Care Centre in Bury as part of national Dementia Awareness Week with more than 100 people in attendance.

Man sentenced to six years for two sexual assaults in Burnley

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:37:03 -0000

A Burnley man has been sentenced to a minimum of six years in prison after being found guilty of two sexual assaults which took place in the town.

Nizam Ahmed, aged 37, was given an indeterminate sentence at Preston Crown Court and told he must serve a minimum of six years and 83 days before being considered for parole.

Man jailed after £60k in cash found

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:33:19 -0000

A man has been sentenced after more than £60,000 was found in a safety deposit box.

Ayra Amiry, aged 24 of Sycamore Street, Sale, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, to two counts of money laundering and two counts of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.

Thousands expected at record-breaking Mega Mela in Fallowfield

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 06:42:35 -0000

More than 50,000 revellers are set to flock to the Mega Mela music festival – with hundreds bidding to break the world record for the biggest Bollywood-style dance.

Mega Mela, a celebration of south Asian arts and culture, takes place at Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, on Saturday and Sunday.

Death riddle of teenager found hanged in bedroom

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 06:36:52 -0000

The brother of a boy found hanged in his bedroom the night before Halloween has told how he thought he was playing a practical joke.

Muhammed Abbas, 13, was discovered hanging from an exercise bar.

Why is that man shouting at you mummy? Taxi driver hurled racist abuse at mums outside Jewish school in Crumpsall

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:06:09 -0000

Taha Osman, 36, an Iraqi Kurd, shrieked ‘All Jewish children must die!’ and said Jews 'should not be allowed in this country' after his car was hemmed in by parents picking up pupils outside King David School in Crumpsall.

£50k-a-year computer expert became leering night train pervert after drunken night out

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:15:18 -0000

A married dad-of-two has been told to pay £1,000 to a young woman after he leered at her and performed a sex act on a night train.

Santanu Roy, 38, stared at his victim for 15 minutes before carrying out the ‘deeply shocking’ behaviour on the journey from Liverpool to Manchester, a court heard.

Man who falsely claimed he was shot in the leg is jailed

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:01:22 -0000

A man who lied about being shot in the foot by a stranger has been jailed for wasting police time.

Hassan Hussain who told police he was shot at by the occupants of a small dark car, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.

Ardhanginni to showcase the crème of Asian bridal beauty at lifestyle show

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:37:42 -0000

The magic of an Indian wedding can be seen at this year's Indian Wedding, Destination and Lifestyle Show (Ardhanginni).

Teenager sexually assualted whilst sitting at computer in a library

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:35:30 -0000

A teenage girl with learning difficulties was sexually assaulted in a Bolton library.

At about 5.30pm on Tuesday 5 July 2011, the 14-year-old victim was sitting at a computer in High Street library, High Street, Deane.

Commuters die in rush-hour terror attacks on Mumbai

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:56:11 -0000

Three simultaneous explosions rocked Mumbai during evening rush-hour, killing at least 17 people in what appeared to be another terrorist strike in the city hit by a major attack nearly three years ago.

One blast hit the crowded district of Dadar in the centre of the Indian city.

Imams to help Muslims quit smoking this Ramadan

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:52:53 -0000

The British Heart Foundation and QUIT have teamed up with local imams to encourage the Muslim community in the north west to stop smoking and lead a healthier lifestyle this Ramadan.

Statistics suggest that South Asians in the UK are 50 per cent more likely to die from heart disease than those in the general population.

Knifeman carried on trying to stab ex-wife after he was Tasered by police

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:26:22 -0000

A knifeman who carried on trying to stab his ex-wife even after being tasered by police has been jailed.

Manchester Crown Court heard that Mohammed Alom – who has been locked up for two years – cut the wires of the stun gun after being shot with its electrifying probes.

Family appeal to find dad’s killers

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 08:36:39 -0000

A family from Rochdale are appealing to the Foreign Office for help after their father was murdered in Bangladesh.

British citizen Hashim Uddin, known to his family as Tahir Ali, died of stab wounds inflicted by an armed gang who broke into his family's home in Bishwanath, Sylhet District in the early hours.

Warning after suspicious men approach girls in Bury

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:31:59 -0000

Police are warning girls in Bury to be on their guard after three men appear to have made two attempts to entice teenage girls into their car.

At about 3.30pm on Monday 4 July 2011, a 14-year-old girl was waiting on the corner of Brandlesholme Road and Woodhill Road when a car parked up and three men got out and approached her.

Pair jailed over machine gun murder at Eccles off licence in bid to appeal

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:06:13 -0000

Two men jailed for plotting a machine gun murder are seeking to appeal against their convictions.

Nasar Hussain was gunned down as he worked behind a counter at Brookhouse Wines in Eccles.

Machine gun suspect ‘told drug dealer pal he killed shop worker’, court told

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:32:18 -0000

A man accused of gunning down murder victim Junaid Khan told a drug-dealer pal that he had done it, a court heard.

Milad Finn is alleged to have used a machine gun to shoot dead 21-year-old shop worker, Mr Khan, who he is said to have blamed for the theft of £175,000 of cannabis.

Former Tory councillor considers legal action after being cleared of assaulting wife

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 07:38:59 -0000

A former councillor accused of beating and threatening his wife has been cleared.

Faraz Bhatti was found not guilty of two charges by a jury after less than three hours deliberation.

15 jobs created at the Funhouse

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:01:33 -0000

A couple have opened an indoor children's play centre in Greater Manchester in a venture which creates 15 jobs.

MEP Sajjad Karim calls police after family home 'targeted by far right activists'

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:21:38 -0000

Police are investigating claims by north west MEP Sajjad Karim that his house was targeted by far right wing activists.

Mr Karim says at least 40 members of the English Defence League gathered outside his family home at the weekend.

Asda signs deal to sell Pakistani mangoes

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:03:23 -0000

Pakistani mangoes have gone on sale in Asda stores for the first time after a launch event in Longsight, Manchester.

We won't forget: Family may sue inquest witnesses who said 200 times that they 'can't remember' hit-and-run horror crash

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:48:52 -0000

David Lees, 23, was mown down moments after he and his friends became involved in a row with a group of 20 other men. At his inquest, a string of witnesses – including 23-year-old Avays Ashraf,who it was alleged in court was driving the car – all claimed they could not recall anything.

Police have vowed that they will bring the killers to justice. Mr Lees' parents, Anne and Don, have now taken legal advice with a view to potential civil action.

VIDEO: South Asians encouraged to fight the bulge and eat healthier

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:59:39 -0000

With soaring rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease in the Asian community, as a woman of Bangladeshi heritage I am an easy candidate for any one of those life threatening diseases – if I don't watch what I eat that is.

With parents who have both been diagnosed with diabetes, I especially need to take greater care of what I eat and now a campaign is being lead by the East Lancashire NHS Trust which is trying to get the north west's Asian community fit and healthy and re-think about what they eat and how they cook.

Brothers are jailed for machete gang attack

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:01:47 -0000

Three brothers who attacked a man with a machete after arranging to meet for clear the air talks following a falling out have been jailed.

The row broke out after the victim accused Omar Syed Iqbal of staring at his sister in Sussex Street, Deeplish on Friday July 23 last year.

Comedy night will raise money to help young people

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:45:16 -0000

A comedy night is being organised by Amana Foundation this Friday (1 July).

The event will be held at the award winning Blue Tiffin restaurant in Oldham and will include a meal and entertainment from comedian Tony Jo and also up an coming comediene Zoe Iqbal.

Man shot dead in Chadderton car park 'predicted own death' court hears

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:24:43 -0000

A shooting victim predicted his own death, a court heard.

Shopworker Junaid Khan, 21, was gunned down in the car park of a doctor’s surgery in Chadderton two years ago, shortly after meeting with his girlfriend nearby.

You should be ashamed: Coroner slams hit-run ‘witnesses’ who claimed they remember nothing of crash night

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:22:50 -0000

A coroner has slammed the ‘shameful’ behaviour of witnesses after ruling a man who died in a hit-and-run was unlawfully killed.

David Lees, 23, was mown down moments after he and his friends became involved in a row with 20 other men.

Pair wanted by police over £35,000 petrol scam

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:20:37 -0000

Police have issued CCTV images of two men wanted in connection with a £35,000 petrol theft scam.

Business fuel accounts were opened with Exxon Mobil using false documents. The cards have subsequently been used to obtain more than £35,000 worth of fuel at petrol stations across Manchester.

60 people evacuated from Oldham homes after fire leads to gas cylinder blast fears

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:10:04 -0000

The blaze broke out at an unoccupied terraced house on Park Street, Coppice, Oldham, just after midnight. The flames had also spread to the next four properties.

Fire chiefs are investigating the cause and still do not know if everyone has been accounted for. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire Service said there were fears that someone may have been sleeping rough in the empty house.

Widower claims racist thugs killed his wife and granddaughter in Bolton arson horror

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:21:11 -0000

On the third anniversary of the fire, which claimed the lives of Hameeda Begum, 71, and Alana Mian, four, devastated Mumtaz Chishty revealed he fears his Bolton home was attacked because his family is Asian – and he is a prominent member of the Pakistani community.

Bollywood couple Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan expecting baby

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:00:14 -0000

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan has confirmed via twitter that his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai are expecting their first child.

The star tweeted: "NEWS NEWS NEWS !! I am going to become a grandfather.....Aishwarya expecting... so happy and thrilled!!!"

Police team seal Alliance community match with late strikes

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:10:48 -0000

Rochdale-based Sports 4 All together with Greater Manchester Police, held their fifth Alliance football match over the weekend to celebrate community cohesion between the police and the local Muslim community.

John O Hare, GMP Rochdale divisional commander, showed his own support for the match by both playing for the Police team and then attending the local after match presentation, along with other players and their families.

Man found guilty of two sexual assaults in Burnleys

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:56:23 -0000

A Burnley man has been found guilty of two sexual assaults which took place in the town.

Nizam Ahmed, aged 37 was found guilty at Preston Crown Court on 20 June at the end of a week–long trial of one offence of rape and a further offence of attempted rape.

Murdered mother’s family demand new inquiry into her death

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:53:21 -0000

The family of a young mum who was murdered by her violent husband despite telling the police he had attacked her 25 times previously are demanding a new inquiry.

Sabina Akhtar, 26, was stabbed to death by her taxi driver husband Malik Mannan four days after he had been released without charge over the other attacks.

The owner of a filthy fly-infested takeaway has been fined.

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:48:28 -0000

The owner of a filthy fly-infested takeaway has been fined.

When council inspectors visited the business they discovered flies entering the kitchen from an uncovered outside drain.

Terror suspect ‘had guide to make bomb’

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:04:20 -0000

A terror suspect has appeared in court accused of having instructions to make a bomb.

Asim Kauser, of Bardon Close, Bolton, was charged with four offences under the Terrorism Act in relation to material found on a computer pen drive.

Teenager admits causing death by dangerous driving

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:00:59 -0000

An 18-year-old man has pleaded guilty to causing the death of his two friends by dangerous driving in Burnley.

Zahid Ali, of Richmond Hill Street, Accrington admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving at Burnley Crown Court today (Monday 13 June) and will be sentenced on 2 August.

Man threatened woman

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:58:12 -0000

Police have released an image of a man who threatened a woman as she walked her daughter home from nursery in Longsight.

Just after 5.45pm on Monday 6 June 2011, the 24-year-old woman was walking along Richmond Grove when she noticed a blue Ford Focus had pulled up ahead of her.

Bosses ‘netted £600,000 in pound store credit scam’

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:52:33 -0000

Bosses of a chain of pound shops used the business to steal up to £600,000 of goods in a credit scam, a court heard.

Four Mercedes, two Range Rovers and nearly £15,000 worth of ‘fancy champagne’ were among luxury items ordered through the nationwide discount shop company QV Stores, formerly known as Supergifts. The goods were never paid for, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Man sexually assaults teenage girl

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:28:05 -0000

Police have released an e-fit of this man after a teenager girl was sexually assaulting in Rochdale.

At about midnight on 28 April 2011, a 16-year-old girl was walking through a car park on Back Oldham Road when a man in a silver Audi offered to pay her for sex.

Parents’ crusade in memory of their son

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:50:52 -0000

The parents of a toddler who died from meningitis have launched a fundraising campaign in his memory.

Shamila and Zeshan Rizvi’s only son Zak died aged just 11 months.

Roof of Rusholme 'curry mile' restaurant collapses in major fire

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:35:07 -0000

Quick-thinking fire officers avoided a major tragedy when they raised the alarm on a restaurant fire in Manchester's 'curry mile'.

Staff working for Greater Manchester Fire's safety team were working in the area on another job when they saw smoke coming from the Kebabish restaurant in Rusholme.

Computer expert at centre of credit card scam is jailed

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:33:23 -0000

A crooked IT expert at the centre of a major credit card scam kitted out a shop with his ill-gotten gains.

Fraudster Syed Tirmizi traded the personal banking details of unsuspecting customers with online criminals, hoarded equipment for making bogus credit cards, and made a string of purchases using other people’s money.

Absconders guilty of £56m VAT fraud

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:27:36 -0000

Two men who have absconded to Dubai, have been found guilty of charges relating to a £56.5m ‘missing trader’ VAT and money laundering fraud following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The two men, Adam Umerji, 33 and Addullah Yusaf Allad, 32 from Preston, were originally charged in January 2009, but have since disapeared.

Homework clubs axed at Manchester libraries in council budget cuts

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:10 -0000

Homework clubs for school children are to become the latest victims of council budget cuts.

The free service sees qualified tutors help children with school work at evenings and weekends in 21 libraries across Manchester.

Jailed: Hit-run driver who killed grandmother while 'showing off' in Audi Quattro sports car

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:58:49 -0000

A hit-and-run driver killed a gran after overtaking nine cars on the wrong side of the road at speeds of up to 70mph.

Sajjad Anwar, 20, was then caught speeding AGAIN just weeks after the fatal tragedy.

Eighteen-year-old sentenced for raping pensioner

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:41:10 -0000

A man has been given indeterminate sentence after earlier being found guilty of raping a Nelson pensioner.

Farhan Ahmed, 18 years old of Park Avenue, Barrowford, was found guilty by a jury at Burnley Crown court following a trial in May.

Police want to trace owners of jewellery stolen by thief

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:14:28 -0000

Officers in Farnworth have released pictures of jewellery thought to have been stolen in a burglary, in an effort to trace its owners.

On Sunday 29 May 2011, a police officer on patrol in Farnworth arrested a 39-year-old man on suspicion of handling stolen property, after responding to a report of a man acting suspiciously.

Police search property in Bolton after terror arrest

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:13:38 -0000

A man is being quizzed by anti-terror detectives after officers swooped on a house. The 25-year-old was held under the Terrorism Act after a raid on a terraced house in Halliwell, Bolton.

It is understood he lives there with his parents.

Future of school left in balance by plans row

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:49:40 -0000

The future of an independent girls school is in limbo due to a planning row. Rochdale Girls School has planning permission to stay open until the end of the month.

But last night planning officers at the town hall were due to recommend an application to remain at the site in Taylor Street, off Whitworth Road, was refused.

Hunt for racist thug in English Defence League T-shirt who attacked Asian man in Rochdale

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:44:20 -0000

A racist thug who abused and attacked a passer-by in a shopping precinct is being hunted by police.

The man, who was wearing a T-shirt promoting the English Defence League, targeted a 31-year-old Asian man as he walked through the Wheatsheaf Centre in Rochdale town centre. Images from CCTV cameras have been released by police in a bid to identify him.

Eight men charged after inquiry into 'grooming' of underage girls for sex in Rochdale

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:41:09 -0000

Eight men were due in court this morning following a police probe into the alleged grooming of young girls.

All of the suspects, from Rochdale, were charged late last night with conspiracy to commit penetrative sexual activity with a female under 16 years.

Religious leader jailed in Libya 'is tortured by Gadaffi forces'

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:22:55 -0000

Mustafa Graf – the imam at Manchester Islamic Centre in West Didsbury – went back to his homeland of Libya in March to help family members escape.

Rogue landlord lived in £1.3m Hale Barns mansion while renting out death-trap 'Victorian slum' flats in Longsight

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 06:48:46 -0000

Israr Fazal, 54, is facing jail after council and fire investigators found a catalogue of catastrophic conditions at five flats in Longsight.

While putting tenant's lives at risk by leaving them in squalid and dangerous conditions, Israr owned a footballer's style house worth £1.3m in Hale Barns, Cheshire.

Pair charged in connection with Amran Khan murder

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:29:20 -0000

Two men have been charged in connection with the murder of a father-of-two who was killed in a drive-by shooting in Oldham.

Amran Khan, 29, was shot twice on the doorstep of his home on Nugget Street in Glodwick at about 10.30pm on 18 September 2009.

Fortune on a plate: Liverpool fan puts car registration marking Manchester United's 19 titles up for sale

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:29:13 -0000

A football fan is set to cash in on United's historic season - with a car number plate celebrating the Reds’ record-breaking success.

Bilal Chawala, 31, paid just £250 for the registration M19 WON before United secured their 19th league title.

Fire victim’s family in appeal for answers

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:26:18 -0000

The family of a man who died in a blaze at a textile mill in Deeplish say they have a lot of questions about his death.

Mohamed Shakil Aboo, 47, had been working at the Sartex Quilt and Textiles Norwich Mill, off Durham Street for just over six weeks when he died in the blaze last Wednesday.

Man jailed over £263,000 fraud

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:15:22 -0000

A fraudster who stole more than a quarter of a million pounds from a bank has been jailed. Rthammed Tahir Ashraf Chowdry, 43, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit a £263,000 fraud.

Chowdry, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 32 months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday.

Birthday tragedy: 60 minutes after this picture, Aftab died in crash

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:08:56 -0000

This is the poignant last photo of a man killed in a road smash on his way home from celebrating his birthday with his family.

Aftab Azram, 43, from Rochdale, suffered fatal injuries when his black BMW saloon car collided with a Ford Mondeo estate. Aftab was rescued from the wreckage of the car on Grane Road, Haslingden, but died shortly afterwards.

Teenager raped in Bolton

Tue, 31 May 2011 15:03:51 -0000

Detectives are investigating after a teenager was raped in Bolton.

Police were called to Astley Bridge, Bolton, following reports a woman had been raped in an alleyway behind Seymour Road.

Blue Tiffin launches new entertainment lounge

Tue, 31 May 2011 14:51:58 -0000

Indian restaurant, Blue Tiffin, has doubled its space after creating a new entertainment lounge.

Following a revamp with a stylish chic look, the multi award winning Oldham restaurant will be hosting a new programme of events throughout the year.

Teenager assaulted in Nelson

Tue, 31 May 2011 09:32:20 -0000

Police are appealing for information after a 17 year old boy was assaulted in broad daylight in Nelson.

Around 5.45pm on Tuesday 29 March 2011, the teenager was walking along St Philips Street with a friend when he was approached by four to six men.

Teenage girl in court after student's face is slashed

Fri, 27 May 2011 16:44:19 -0000

A 16-year-old girl has appeared in court after another teenager was slashed across the face with a knife.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with wounding with intent and possession of a knife in a public place.

Pair charged with money laundering and drugs offences

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:36:20 -0000

Two cousins have been charged after officers recovered a large amount of cash and cannabis in Oldham.

Shazad Hussain, aged 25, of Brook Lane, Oldham and Asad Hussain, 24, of Brewerton Road, Oldham, are both charged with money laundering and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Cannabis dealer may be ordered to sell Porsche

Fri, 27 May 2011 10:01:42 -0000

A drug dealer may be forced to sell his Porsche, Rolex watch, and house to pay back the money he made from selling cannabis.

He and his brother have been ordered to pay back more than £157,000 they made from their involvement in drug dealing.

Jailed: 'Godfather of Oldham' who ran £1m drugs racket

Fri, 27 May 2011 09:55:50 -0000

A drug baron behind a £1m supply operation has been jailed.

Fazal Hussain and his supercar-loving son Faisal were caught bringing cannabis, cocaine and heroin worth at least £1m from the south of Britain to Oldham. They used taxi drivers as couriers to buy drugs in Luton, Birmingham and Bristol and bring them north.

Horror as teenager ‘slashed in the face by girl love-rival’

Fri, 27 May 2011 09:53:25 -0000

A teenage girl was slashed across the face with a knife in a fight with another girl over a boy.

Sabby Mir, 18, from Rochdale, suffered serious cuts to her face in the horrific attack.

Country's first female British Muslim Lord Mayor takes seat in Bradford

Wed, 25 May 2011 14:37:44 -0000

The country's first Muslim female Lord Mayor has taken on her new role in Bradford.

Councillor Naveeda Ikram and her husband Saqib Salam Shah succeed Peter Hill and his wife Gillian as Lord Mayor of Bradford and consort.

A festival of colour and fun

Wed, 25 May 2011 14:28:19 -0000

East met west for a colourful festival in Manchester.

Hundreds of people joined the party at the annual Longsight Neighbourhood Festival - with Bhangra musicians, Bollywood dancing and Indian sweet stalls at the free event on Sunday.

‘Smiley’ pervert paid string of children for foot fetish sex crimes

Wed, 25 May 2011 14:25:49 -0000

A takeaway worker with a foot fetish has admitted a string of sex offences against young girls.

Homayon Norouzzad, 34, paid girls to touch him and to allow him to kiss their feet.

PICTURES: Heroes honoured at Fusion Awards 2011

Wed, 25 May 2011 10:27:32 -0000

Community heroes and champions were honoured at this year’s Fusion awards.

This year’s sold out event saw over 350 guest pack into the Premier Suite, at Ewood Park, Blackburn to recognise people from across the community.

Much-loved nurse meets tragic end

Tue, 24 May 2011 09:53:57 -0000