Protection offered in Brass Handles case

Neal Keeling

August 14, 2007

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SPECIAL protection is being offered to witnesses in a bid to identify the killer of two men who died in a bungled execution attempt.

Coroner Jennifer Leeming is hoping to establish who shot the men at the Brass Handles pub in Salford, in March 2006, when she holds an inquest into their deaths later this year.

Carlton Alveranga, 20, and Richard Austin, 19, had been recruited by Ian McLeod, a prominent member of Moss Side's notorious Doddington gang, to storm the pub and shoot David Totton.

Convicted gun-runner Constance Howarth acted as a 'spotter', pointing out Totton to the gunmen. But after opening fire on Totton and another man, Aaron Travers, police believe someone in the pub jumped on the two and shot them - possibly with their own guns.

Totton and Travers survived, but Austin and Alveranga were found dead on grassland just across the road from the pub.

The incident on March 12 happened on a Sunday lunchtime when the pub in Pendleton was crowded with customers watching a Manchester United match on television.

McLeod, of Victoria Street, Radcliffe, and Howarth of Rosalind Court, Salford, were both sentenced to life in May this year after being convicted of conspiracy to murder. McLeod must serve a minimum of 21 years and Howarth 20.

Autumn

No one has been charged in connection with the killing of Austin and Alveranga. An inquest is due in the autumn and a provisional date has been set for the end of October.

But if any crucial witnesses come forward who could help identify the men's killers, then it is likely the inquest would be adjourned to allow further police inquiries.

Police believe the two dead men were recruited on behalf of Robert 'Bobby' Spiers, due to a 'respect' feud between him and Mr Totton. The two of them fell out over entry to a Manchester nightclub.

It is believed Spiers fled to Spain. An international arrest warrant has been issued, but he is still at large.

An appeal was made in July on the BBC Crimewatch programme for information about his whereabouts. It resulted in further information suggesting that he was in Spain.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman, said: "The investigation into the deaths of Carlton Alveranga and Richard Austin remains open.

"We would ask anyone with any information about what happened inside The Brass Handles Pub in Salford on Sunday, March 12, 2006, to contact us. Special measures can be put in place to protect witnesses who choose to give evidence in criminal trials."

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Leo B (14/08/2007 at 08:24)

So a couple of thugs got a taste of their own medicine...who cares? Is the world a poorer place without them?

mr chips, manchester (14/08/2007 at 09:06)

how come the arch gets shut down and the brass handles doesn't
langworthy is safe with all low life contained in a pub but hulme isn't. it stinks

Ms D, Manchester (14/08/2007 at 09:41)

I couldn't care less either. I hope they don't find out who killed these two would be killers. They went to that pub, armed and attempted to shoot people dead in a packed pub with children present. They got what they deserved. the streets are safer without them.

Tink, Manchester (14/08/2007 at 13:34)

Is it really in the public interest and money to pursue this case. They got what they deserved. Don't play a game that you might lose!

Tony, Irlam (14/08/2007 at 13:34)

Jennifer Leeming lives in a different world to the rest of us.....she has more chance of knitting fog than getting anyone to come forward with information.
These two came prepared to kill and it backfired...tough.

paragon1, Salford (14/08/2007 at 16:05)

I used to go in the Brass Handles with my brother to watch the match I was lucky I wasnt there that day.
These two lads came into a packed pub full of people and had a blatant disregard for their's or anybody elses life they diserved what they got. (live by the sword die by the sword)

Pamster, Salford (14/08/2007 at 17:18)

Mr Chips - Lets get the facts right !! The Brass is shut and has been since that day. There is NO intention to open it again, in fact i understand the council want it demolished.....Yet another pub in Langworthy closed, thanks to people out of the area.

Laura Norder, Didsbury (14/08/2007 at 18:04)

The first six - there are only six as I post - respondents on this topic should be ashamed of themselves! You are supporting vigilante retribution for two capital crimes. What sort of world do you people inhabit?

The police and the judiciary are the only hope any of us have in turning the violence around. As can been seen almost any day in the MEN, gun crime and a growing gang culture is tearing sections of this great city apart. And some are posting support and condoning the actions of murderers; themselves no better than the criminals orchestrating the violence.

The police can only do their job with the help of communities, and frankly all of those glibly advocating 'eye-for-an-eye' revenge... you appall me.

Ms D, Manchester (15/08/2007 at 11:45)

Laura - I care about your opinion as much as I do the two dead vermin who were happy enough to shoot and kill for money. Like another poster said, you live by the sword, you die by the sword. Perhaps if the law supported the victims of crime more than they do the criminals, people wouldn't have they attitudes they do.

John (15/08/2007 at 13:45)

Why are you ashamed Laura ? Two men came to Salford looking for trouble (with guns) and ended up dead themselves end off

Laura Norder, Didsbury (15/08/2007 at 14:30)

And who are you two: Wyatt Earp and Annie Oakley? It's Salford, not Dodge City. Maybe that sort of life - where the fastest gun in the west is 'king' - is all you aspire to, most of us like to think we've moved on.

The Catcher, In the Rye (15/08/2007 at 14:35)

Laura: you have already demonstrated how out of touch you are with your outspoken support for the congestion charge. Now you are out on a limb again. Are you doing it to be different?

John (15/08/2007 at 14:56)

Laura Salfordians know if it wasn’t for certain groups in Salford the Manchester gangs would be moving in and things would really get out of control. This in my opinion is what those two gang members tried in that pub and a clear message was sent back to Manchester and this is why the police won’t hear anything & they know it. I’m not saying I agreed with what happened but we’re much better off with the enemy we know

Laura Norder, Didsbury (15/08/2007 at 15:02)

John: so it's really all about which little boy can wee higher up a wall than another?

And Catcher: you've lost the C-Charge argument, let it lie, you're making yourself look silly.

Pescado (15/08/2007 at 16:27)

Even when innocent people are hurt by the actions of these gangsta wannabes very few people will come forward, look at moss side, whether it is out of fear or misplaced loyalty they say nothing.
How about offering rewards, some of these scumbags might turn each other in for a couple of grand.

Pippa, Manchester (15/08/2007 at 17:48)

Laura - if the people who killed the two scumbags are caught, what will happen to them? Harsh as it may seem, rough justice was done at the time. If you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen. These 2 went to murder in cold blood without regard for anyone else in the vicinity and the fact that somebody had the courage to try and stop them speaks volumes. Leave things as they are in this case. It's unlikely that the ofenders are a danger to the general public unless they come across someone else trying to murder them!

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