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'You preyed on girls because they were not part of your community or religion', says judge as he jails Rochdale sex gang for 77 years

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:59:23 -0000

Nine members of the Rochdale sex grooming gang were given jail terms totalling 77 years today - sentences ranged from 19 years to four years.

Urmston police sergeant Peter Jee jailed for having sex with vulnerable Rochdale woman with mental health problems

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:58:41 -0000

A police officer with a brilliant career ahead of him has been jailed for two years for engaging in a sex act with a vulnerable woman he knew had mental health difficulties.

Peter Jee, 38, who was a sergeant with Greater Manchester Police at the time, had been one of three officers who responded to a 999 call from the woman who was threatening to take her own life.

Drain thieves cost taxpayers £12,840 for just £5 profit

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:42:19 -0000

Thieves have taken 120 drain covers from roads across the borough since January.

Tax payers have been left with a £12,840 bill after scrap metal raiders swiped the covers since the start of the year.

Toddler is knocked over as shoppers flee from armed raiders

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:37:50 -0000

A toddler was knocked to the ground as terrified customers fled a convenience store being robbed by masked men armed with a machete.

The two-year-old, who suffered a bump to his head, was left in tears but not seriously hurt in the drama at a Co-op in Castleton.

Ed Balls warns youth unemployment is 'danger to society'

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:43:16 -0000

Youth unemployment is becoming a danger to society, shadow chancellor Ed Balls has claimed on a visit to Rochdale.

Mr Balls - speaking during a visit to Greater Manchester - said the coalition could not afford to sit on its hands if it wanted to prevent a crisis.

Big turnout for Rochdale Business Awards lunch

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:24:20 -0000

There aren’t many events that could attract a group of diverse local businessmen and women at the end of a long, tiring day – but the launch of the 2012 Rochdale Business Awards is one.

After the phenomenal success of last year’s inaugural event, Rochdale businesses turned out in force to see what this year’s awards have in store for them.

Health chiefs save closure-threatened A&E at Fairfield Hospital

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:33:34 -0000

The accident and emergency unit is to stay open at Fairfield General in Bury – after bosses revealed plans for a multi-million pound expansion.

Fresh fears over the future of the department were raised after maternity was axed at the site in February. But chiefs at Pennine Acute Trust have agreed to spend £2.25m to improve facilities – and say that will secure its long-term future.

Man charged with murder after death of pregnant Rochdale woman Saiba Khatoon

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:08:02 -0000

A man has been charged with the murder of young mum Saiba Khatoon – who was found dead at her home on Monday.

Siraj Arif, 30, of Armstrong Hurst Close, Smallbridge, will appear at Bury magistrates court today.

Rochdale child sex ring: Family of guilty preacher Abdul Rauf speak of their shame

Thu, 10 May 2012 06:52:55 -0000

Abdul Rauf, 42, was yesterday caged for six years after being convicted of trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child.

His sister Kursum Begum, 48, and her husband Hameed Khan, 60, have spoken exclusively to us. They asked us not to reveal their address or faces because of fears of reprisals.

Concern for traders as Drake Street shuts again

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:16:41 -0000

Part of Drake Street has closed again as work on the town centre Metrolink line continues.

The lower part of the road, up to Water Street, is now shut to traffic.

Nine guilty in Rochdale sex grooming trial, but more arrests on way in hunt for FIFTY sex beasts

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:06:11 -0000

Detectives who smashed the Rochdale child sex grooming ring are poised to make more arrests.

We have learned officers have identified four more suspects alleged to have abused the brave witness whose evidence helped nail nine gang members.

Mum-of-one Saiba Khatoon - found knifed to death at Rochdale home - was 18 weeks pregnant

Wed, 09 May 2012 07:29:35 -0000

A young mum found stabbed to death at her home was 18 weeks pregnant, we can reveal.

Saiba Khatoon, 26, had told friends of her delight that she was expecting her second child only hours before she was found dead at her home in Kirkholt.

Missing grandad Stephen Iggulden found near Naden Reservoir

Tue, 08 May 2012 16:01:37 -0000

A grandad missing since Sunday afternoon has been found in Naden Valley.

Stephen Iggulden, 65, from Edenfield had not been seen since he was spotted walking along the A680 Rochdale Road towards Rochdale at about 3.30pm.

Highfield hospital in Rochdale charges NHS patients to park - but it's free if you go private...

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:38:37 -0000

The BMI-run Highfield Hospital in Rochdale is introducing the fees for NHS patients within the next few weeks, we can reveal.

Pictured: Mother-of-one Saiba Khatoon, 26, found stabbed to death at her home in Kirkholt, Rochdale

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:28:45 -0000

A young woman found dead at her Rochdale home has been named as Saiba Khatoon. The 26-year-old mother-of-one is understood to have suffered stab wounds and was discovered at her house in Darlington Road, Kirkholt. A man aged 30 has been arrested.

Rochdale couple married for 63 years die weeks apart

Mon, 07 May 2012 05:00:56 -0000

A devoted couple died just weeks apart after 63 years of happy marriage.

Soulmates Lillian and Harry Smith, both 86, were inseparable in life – and now daughter Janet believes they have been reunited in death.

Police appeal after man attacked by thugs in broad daylight in Rochdale

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:15:55 -0000

Thugs punched a man to the ground and stole his mobile phone during a violent street attack in broad daylight.

The 22-year-old victim tried to follow the muggers after the robbery, but collapsed on the pavement.

Jailed: Rochdale man who raped woman while she was unconscious in house

Sat, 05 May 2012 08:50:56 -0000

A man has been jailed for raping a woman as she lay unconscious at a house in Rochdale.

Scott David Wiseley, 23, of Bolton Road, Rochdale was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison at Bolton Crown Court.

Local elections: My youth is a positive, not a problem says 19-year-old councillor Liam O'Rourke

Sat, 05 May 2012 08:21:33 -0000

Meet Liam O’Rourke – Greater Manchester’s youngest councillor. The 19-year-old student was this week elected to the Heywood North seat for Labour – demolishing opposition in the former Lib Dem-controlled ward.

Liam, a politics, philosophy and economics student at Manchester University, credits his victory to knocking on nearly every door in his ward.

M62 junction partially closed at Rochdale after chemical spillage

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:26:44 -0000

A motorway junction has been partially closed as emergency services investigate a chemical spillage in Rochdale.

Specialist hazardous waste officers have joined police and Highways Agency on the scene near Thornham Island on the A627M.

Local elections 2012: Labour increases majority in Rochdale council with 19-year-old councillor

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:18:51 -0000

Rochdale returned one of the country's youngest councillors as Labour strengthed its grip on the Town Hall.

Liam O'Rourke won the Heywood North seat for Labour aged 19 years, eight months and 13 days.

Woman speaks out about sex abuse nightmare at hands of evil uncle Stephen Slotwiner

Wed, 02 May 2012 09:43:20 -0000

A woman who was abused by her uncle when she was just four years old has told of the devastating effect it had on her life.

Traci Miller was abused by amateur football referee Stephen Slotwiner during the 1970s.

Rochdale's chance of Portas pilot cash doubles

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:16 -0000

Rochdale is up against 370 other towns in a government-backed competition to revive our high streets.

Bid organisers will find out in the next few weeks if they have been successful in their campaign to become a Portas Pilot area.

RollerCity skating rink to 'almost certainly' reopen in 2012

Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:15 -0000

Rochdale's popular roller-skating rink could be making a comeback this year.

Planners behind the re-opening of RollerCity say the rink is a step closer to re-opening and will almost certainly be re-launched during 2012.

Collision between lorry and car causes tailbacks on M62 motorway at Rochdale

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:42:17 -0000

A motorway crash caused travel misery for drivers. Police said a small car collided with a lorry on the M62 at Junction 20, outside Rochdale.

The smash on the westbound carriageway, which also involved at least one other vehicle, took place at 2.30pm today.

30 trees blown down as freak gales batter town

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:46:20 -0000

Freak winds and torrential rain battered Rochdale over the weekend bringing down around 30 trees across the borough.

Trees were snapped as gale force winds reached speeds of up to 45mph. In Littleborough a tree was blown over in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church.

Jury out in Rochdale sex grooming gang trial

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:02:47 -0000

A jury has been sent out to consider its verdicts on 11 men who are accused of being part of a child exploitation ring.

Judge Gerald Clifton sent out the nine women and three men sitting on the jury at a trial at Liverpool Crown Court at 11.35am today.

Rochdale Business Awards 2012: Search is back on for cream of crop

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:29:13 -0000

The date has been set for this year's Rochdale Business Awards – and it is set to be even bigger and better than last year.

This year's awards will be officially launched at a special event which will take place at Springhill Hospice on May 9 and will take place in the Great Hall at Rochdale Town Hall on November 2.

Manchester derby: Business partner brothers across the Blue and Red divide

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:49:56 -0000

They are brothers, best friends and business partners – but tonight Daz and Craig Kerr will be sworn enemies.

For the restaurant-owning pair are divided when it comes to football.

Hundreds line streets of Littleborough to pay final respects to Afghanistan blast vicitm Jack Stanley

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:52:08 -0000

Hundreds of mourners celebrated the life of a 'shining star' who was killed while just 'doing his job' in Afghanistan.

Corporal Jack Stanley, 26, from The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish) died in hospital on Easter Sunday, two months after he was caught in an explosion from an improvised explosive device.

Fundraiser Carol Hartley named Rochdale Woman of the Year 2012 - video and pictures

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:38:09 -0000

A fundraiser who has helped needy children in Eastern Europe for 17 years has been crowned the new Rochdale Woman of the Year.

Jailed: Patients’ champion Paul Mainwaring funded champagne lifestyle with swindled NHS cash

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:21:25 -0000

A patient’s champion lived a champagne lifestyle paid for by cash he swindled from the NHS.

Health consultant Paul Mainwaring, 65, pocketed £68,000 of money from NHS Trusts through a VAT scam.

Court official left in tears after outburst at Rochdale sex gang trial

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:06:31 -0000

A judge threatened to send one of 11 men accused of grooming underage girls for sex to the cells after an outburst from the dock left an interpreter in tears.

The 59-year-old defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, shouted: "I have a question," from the dock as one of his co-accused, takeaway worker Qamar Shahzad, was giving evidence from the witness box, adding: "This interpreter is terrible. They have only got half of it. How can we get justice?"

Van used to ram raid Tesco Express store

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:03:05 -0000

An LDV convoy van stolen from a house in Waithlands Road was used to ram raid Tesco Express in Edenfield Road in the early hours of Thursday.

The burglars sneaked into the house, stealing the keys before making off in the van at about 7am on Wednesday.

Hopwood Hall College says half of its staff face redundancy

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:21:11 -0000

More than half of the workforce at Hopwood Hall College have been told that they face redundancy. The college, which has 604 staff on campuses in Rochdale and Middleton, has told 324 people that they are 'at risk'.

Out of these 324 staff it is likely that 40 will be made redundant following a 90-day consultation period which began yesterday.

Live - Rochdale council meeting

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:06:04 -0000

Rochdale councillors will gather on Wednesday night for their final meeting before this year's elections - we'll have live coverage here from 6.15pm.

The borough's 60 representatives are set to discuss moves to withdraw a controversial planning document that would see green belt land offered to developers and the establishment a new shadow health and wellbeing board.

Top Tory Baroness Warsi backs Rochdale Portas Pilot bid

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:36:30 -0000

A top Tory has backed Rochdale's bid to become a Portas Pilot town.

Baroness Warsi, chairman of the Conservative party, said she would lend her support to the town's application to be one of the chosen 12 to take part.

Councillors give their backing to ‘hard working family man’ accused in Rochdale 'grooming' case

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:55:55 -0000

Two councillors have told a court that a taxi driver accused of grooming under-age girls for sex is a 'hard-working family man'.

Members of Rochdale council and a solicitor spoke in support for Abdul Qayyum, 44, one of 11 men accused of abusing girls as young as 13.

Rochdale family left homeless as scented candle sparks Friday the 13th fire

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:55:53 -0000

A family's home has been destroyed after a blaze started when scented candles set fire to curtains – on Friday the 13th.

Kay Diggle, daughter Natalie and son Jordan ran from the burning building and watched in horror from across the street as their home and possessions went up in flames.

Pepper-spray raiders escape with bag of cash from Castleton Tesco store

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:04:58 -0000

A security guard was targeted with pepper spray in a cash-in-transit raid on a supermarket.

He was collecting money from the Tesco store on Silk Street, Castleton, when two men approached. One sprayed the substance into his face and grabbed a money bag from him.

Stars of Eastenders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road to play charity football matches in Rochdale

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:27:16 -0000

Stars of Eastenders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road are playing a series of friendly 11-a-side football matches at Sacred Heart football ground in Rochdale to raise funds for the Adam Kutereba SDR fund.

Firefighters use JCB to rescue horse that fell into a well in Littleborough

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:55:46 -0000

As the elite of the horse racing world got ready for the Grand National, one unlucky mount found himself in a hole load of trouble.

Venture, a retired riding school horse in Littleborough, had to be dramatically rescued – with the help of firefighters and a JCB – after falling into a well.

Fundraising cancer mum loses fight for life

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:31:43 -0000

A courageous mum who raised thousands of pounds for charity while battling cancer has died aged 48.

Jane Butterworth spent more than 13 years fighting the disease and underwent 12 operations and several bouts of chemotherapy. But during that time the fitness fan, of Bamford, dedicated herself to charity work, raising £10,000 through gala nights at Bamford Cricket Club and sponsored runs.

Image released of boy wanted over bus stop sex attack

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:22:56 -0000

This is the image of a boy police want to speak to in connection with an indecent assault on a teenage girl.

A girl was standing alone at a bus stop on Rochdale Road, Rochdale, at around 4.45pm on Tuesday, March 13 when the attack took place.

Defendant collapses at Rochdale sex grooming gang trial

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:13:08 -0000

The trial of 11 men accused of grooming under-age girls for sex in Rochdale and Oldham had to be dramatically halted when one of the defendants collapsed as he gave evidence.

Former taxi driver Abdul Rauf, 43, appeared to faint as he was cross-examined at Liverpool Crown Court.

Cyclist’s terror as hit-run driver ‘smashes into him on purpose’

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:13:36 -0000

A cyclist has told how he was knocked off his bike in a terrifying head-on hit and run.

Gareth Baron, from Rochdale, was riding along Oldham Road in the town when a black Golf travelling in the opposite direction swerved across the road and sent him flying off his bike.

I thought girl I had sex with was 25, cabbie tells Rochdale ‘grooming’ trial

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:35:50 -0000

A former taxi driver broke down in court as he denied being part of a plot to groom underage girls for sex.

Abdul Rauf, 43, sobbed after he admitted to jurors he had made ‘a big mistake’ when he had sex with a girl of 15.

Soldier Jack Stanley dies in hospital two months after being injured in Afghanistan blast

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:32:24 -0000

A soldier described as a 'true friend' by colleagues has died after being hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

Corporal Jack Stanley, 26, from The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish) had been on patrol near Lashkar Gah city in the east of the country when he was caught in the blast from an improvised explosive device (IED).

Rochdale bus station cleaner sacked over sex texts loses claim for unfair dismissal

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:05:46 -0000

A Bus station cleaner sacked over allegations she helped her husband send sexually explicit texts to a colleague has lost her claim for unfair dismissal.

Sue Slater, 46, was dismissed from her job at Rochdale bus station after the woman told a supervisor about the messages.

Salford fireman’s tragic end is unearthed after 60 years

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:01:00 -0000

The story of a young fireman who died tragically more than 60 years ago will be remembered on an historic walk.

Robert Burrows, believed to be from Salford, was 25 and had been a fireman for just two years. He fell from the back of a fire engine on the way to an emergency call in March 1951.

Hat-trick close for Kingsway business park in Rochdale

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:01:33 -0000

Bosses of a Greater Manchester business park say they are close to signing a hat-trick of new lettings.

Rochdale’s Kingsway, just off the M60 motorway, has already scooped some of the biggest deals seen in the north west in recent years, including 600,000sq ft to Asda and 850,000 sq ft to JD sports.

Man killed after being struck by train at Smithy Bridge in Rochdale

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:54:17 -0000

A man has been killed after being hit by a train at Smithy Bridge station.

The incident when after the man, believed to be in his 30s, was struck by a passing Leeds to Manchester train.

Accused in Rochdale sex grooming case tears off clump of his chest hair in court room outburst

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:15:10 -0000

A man accused of grooming under-age girls for sex was reprimanded by a judge after an extraordinary courtroom outburst.

The 59-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, removed his shirt as he stood in the dock and tore off a clump of his chest hair.

Town centre fish and chip shop damaged by fire

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:33:56 -0000

A town centre chippy was damaged by fire this morning. Firefighters were called out to the The Flying Fish on The Butts at 6.50am.

It is thought a homeless person may have set a fire to keep warm which then spread to the chip shop's back door.

Jailed for fourth time: Dad from Rochdale who won’t reveal what happened to snatched girl

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:33:39 -0000

An insurance salesman who abducted his daughter more than two years ago and still refuses to reveal her whereabouts has been given a FOURTH jail term for his silence.

Little Atiya Anjum-Wilkinson was snatched on her third birthday – and is still missing at the age of five.

Live: M62 motorway closed and 20 miles of queues as snow and high winds return to Greater Manchester

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:15:21 -0000

Freak snow and winds have brought Greater Manchester’s roads to a standstill – as winter returned with a vengeance.

The eastbound carriageway of the M62 was closed near Saddleworth, sparking miles of tailbacks and two-hour delays. Heavy snowfall in high-lying areas around Oldham left many residents virtually snowed in. The Met Office said 'several centimetres' had fallen overnight.

Rochdale town hall chiefs vow to match cash of Portas pilot bid

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:00:17 -0000

Town hall bosses have vowed to match the money Rochdale will receive if it is selected as a Portas Pilot.

The team behind the bid submitted their final proposal last Friday. If successful Rochdale could be given a share of £1m as part of the government led competition and could trial a number of initiatives put forward by television’s self-styled Queen of Shops Mary Portas.

Rochdale Council boss Roger Ellis says farewell on retirement

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:39:34 -0000

After 12 years of tough decision making Rochdale council chief executive Roger Ellis has said farewell.

The council's top boss stepped down on Friday following a career which spanned over 36 years, working for councils in Norwich, Preston, Oxford, Lancaster and Burnley where he was chief executive for seven years before joining Rochdale.

Hospitals in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and north Manchester still missing waiting list targets

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:38:36 -0000

Hundreds of patients are still waiting longer than 18 weeks for operations at hospitals in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and North Manchester which are run by Pennine Acute NHS Trust.

Rochdale's plan for a Hive of activity if town wins Portas Pilot bid - video

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:02:14 -0000

This is a first look at the entertainment and learning hub that will be created in the town centre if Rochdale becomes a Portas Pilot town.

It's called The Hive and is the central idea of the town's bid to become a Portas Pilot which could see Rochdale awarded a share of £1m and expert retail advice to revitalise the town centre.

Man badly burned during suspected metal theft at electricity substation

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:08 -0000

A suspected metal thief suffered severe burns after cutting through a 6,600 volt copper cable at an electricity substation.

Power was cut to 27 nearby properties following the attempted theft near Silk Street, Sudden, in the early hours of Friday.

Fire crews tackle major grass fire near Scout Moor windfarm

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:21:55 -0000

More than 40 firefighters tackled a huge grass blaze at Scout Moor.

Firefighters from the Lancashire and Greater Manchester brigades were called to moorland near Edenfield Road just before 6pm yesterday. About two square miles of grass was on fire.

Friend of 35 years donates kidney to Bamford dad

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:38:32 -0000

A father-of-two who inherited a deadly condition has been given a THIRD kidney thanks to a friend.

Andrew Moorhouse, 51, lost his father to kidney failure and he needed dialysis treatment to keep him alive. Family friend Deborah Howarth stepped in to offer to give him a kidney.

Rochdale store closure leads to job losses as video game chain Game goes into administration

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:40:58 -0000

A Rochdale video games store has closed its doors after going into administration. Game, in Rochdale Exchange, shut yesterday with the loss of seven jobs.

The Game Group, which owned the retailer, appointed administrators PwC on Monday.

Child sex shame of top Manchester amateur football referee Stephen Slotwiner

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:54:37 -0000

Stephen Slotwiner, 66, a top amateur football referee who has officiated at Manchester City and United Academy matches, has been jailed for molesting two schoolgirls in the 1970s and 80s.

Two women and teenage girl sexually assaulted in Rochdale - police say attacks linked

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:22:52 -0000

Two women and a teenage were sexually assaulted in a series of 'unpleasant' attacks that police believe are linked.

Officers have increased patrols in Rochdale and have appealed for calm following three incidents which left victims 'mentally scarred'.

Police release CCTV images of suspects after Rochdale stab death of John Lee Barrett

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:11:05 -0000

CCTV images have been released of suspects wanted by police in connection with a nightclub murder.

Police have released images of two men they are keen to trace following the murder of John Barrett who was stabbed in the early hours of Christmas Day at Sinclair's in Drake Street. In total, 13 people have been charged and remanded in custody following an investigation into the fatal stabbing.