Three teenagers who hunted down and killed a young dad in a 'revenge' attack are among those locked up this week in Greater Manchester. Lee Williams, 19, inflicted the two fatal blows on Vernard Murray, 26, after he, Riley McDermott and John Harte crashed into him. They were each handed lengthy jail terms this week.
Murder of Vernard Murray
Vernard Murray, 26, died after being stabbed twice in Cheetham Hill on October 23 last year, moments after a dramatic car crash. In the aftermath, one of the teenagers was captured making a 'stabbing gesture' before ordering an Uber. A BMW used in the killing was later torched after another teen was overheard on a call saying: 'Yo, can you do that mission for me? Burn it. The car.'
Lee Williams, 19, John Harte, 19, and Riley McDermott, 18, all denied murder. Following a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, jurors unanimously convicted Williams of murder, and Harte and McDermott of manslaughter. At a sentencing hearing on Friday (July 17), Williams was jailed for life to serve a minimum term of 21 years and 74 days. McDermott was handed eight years detention in a young offenders institution and Harte received six years.
Jovhan Pascoe jailed for life for rape
A vile creep broke into a vulnerable woman's home as she slept on the sofa before brutally raping her in what a judge described as 'a real nightmare'. Jovhan Pascoe, 39, claimed he broke into the flat to 'test the waters'. The woman, who was described as vulnerable, was woken by a semi-naked Pascoe who forced himself on her and raped her. After a trial, Pascoe was convicted of rape. He was jailed for life.
Balaclava-clad robbers snatched £40,000 necklace
Two balaclava-clad robbers snatched a man's £40,000 necklace as his friend was pistol-whipped with a fake gun. The victim had just arrived home from a night out with friends when he was set upon by Ashley Rowe-Jemmott, 29, and Adrian-Christian Holder, 33. One of the man's pals was held at 'gunpoint' before being hit with the bogus weapon. The victim was tackled to the ground and his pricey necklace was stolen. A car chase followed as the man attempted to get his valuable back, before there was a crash. Holder later returned to his home in London. Another man, Xavier Underhill, 29, let Rowe-Jemmott stay at his Salford flat. Both were locked up this week.
Stephen Woodall's campaign of abuse
A violent abuser traumatised his victim by attacking her, sharing her intimate images online and stalking her, a court heard. Stephen Woodall launched his 18-month campaign of emotional and physical abuse on his victim who says she 'lived with the fear he would kill me'. He assaulted his victim which left her needing hospital treatment and stitches for her injuries, police said. Then he shared intimate photos of her online without consent. When he was first arrested, Woodall was issued with strict bail conditions. He instead ignored them and continued to contact the victim to coerce her into dropping the charges as well as messaging members of her family and friends, Greater Manchester Police said. Following the ordeal, Woodall, aged 59, of Stanage Avenue in Blackley, Manchester, was handed a 10-year restraining order and sentenced to 45 months behind bars at Bolton Crown Court.
Syzmon Celinski's international cannabis operation
A drug-dealer ran a huge international 'cannabis distribution operation' from the confines of his bedroom. Syzmon Celinski, 30, ran 'a professional operation importing and exporting considerable amounts' of the drug via the mail, police said as he was jailed. An investigation into Celinski was launched after Border Force officers at an airport intercepted a parcel from the US addressed to him containing a litre cannister of 'cannabis extract liquid'. They alerted police, who immediately raided his home. He was jailed for 40 months.
Francis Maughan's nightclub attack
A thug launched a vicious attack outside a nightclub before being helped to escape by a bouncer. Francis Maughan, 29, was on a night out at Ko Ko Lounge in Heywood on July 6, 2024, when he launched a 'powerful, single punch' at a man's head as he left. The victim left and reported the incident to police. Maughan was later seen on CCTV speaking to doorman Zhahed Mahmood, 42. As officers arrived at the Town Hall Square venue, Mahmood was caught on body cam footage telling Maughan: 'Get off, get out.' Maughan swapped jackets with a friend and left. He was caught the next day. The pair were sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court this week. Maughan was jailed for a year and three months having pleaded guilty to wounding. Mahmood was handed an 18-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out unpaid work having admitted assisting an offender.
