Two men have been sentenced to a total of almost thirteen years in prison after admitting a series of offences, including violent disorder, affray and possession of bladed articles, following several incidents involving serious violence across Manchester in 2025.
Police were called shortly after 7.30pm on September 2 2025 following reports of a large-scale disturbance on Abbey Hey Lane, Manchester. Several people were reportedly involved, with some carrying knives.
Investigation and identification
Officers launched an investigation and pursued a number of lines of enquiry. CCTV recordings and mobile phone footage played a key role in identifying Kemar Simpson and Josef Dumanski as suspects in the incident.
Investigators also linked both men to separate incidents involving disorder and affray on Maine Road on 24 August 2025 and Darras Road on 31 August 2025.
Further investigations established Simpson and Dumanski's involvement in several offences, leading both men to plead guilty to the following:
- Kemar Simpson: Affray and possession of a bladed article in connection with the incident on Maine Road on 24 August 2025.
- Josef Dumanski: Affray and possession of a bladed article relating to the incident on Darras Road on 31 August 2025.
- Kemar Simpson and Josef Dumanski: Violent disorder and possession of a bladed article following the incident on Abbey Hey Lane on 2 September 2025.
- Josef Dumanski: Section 18 assault relating to an incident at HMP Wetherby on 6 December 2024.
- Josef Dumanski: Making threats to kill and unauthorised possession of a knife in prison on 14 July 2026.
- Josef Dumanski: Section 18 assault, criminal damage and possession of a bladed article in connection with an incident on Northmoor Road on 30 August 2025.
Sentences handed down
Dumanski, aged 20, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday October 30, where he was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison, alongside an extended licence period of four years for his involvement in the offences.
Simpson, aged 23 and also of no fixed abode, had previously been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, July 17. He received three years and six months' imprisonment. The sentence also resulted in the activation of a previously imposed Suspended Sentence Order, adding a further two years in prison.
Police response
Detective Constable Callum Taylor, of the City of Manchester’s Xcalibur Task Force, said: “These incidents involved serious violence carried out in public places, with weapons which put members of the community at significant risk.
“Simpson and Dumanski had no regard for the safety of our community. They ran around residential streets brandishing large knives in broad daylight which caused significant concern and worry for members of the public. One of the incidents also resulted in a man receiving serious injuries to his arm as he tried to protect himself against the assault by Dumanski.
"We will continue to take decisive action against those who carry weapons and engage in violence on our streets. Across the force, our proactive action to make streets safer has led to nearly 62 positive stop-searches per day in August 2026 alone; 634 weapons found in the last 12 months; and 62 vehicles seized per day."
“Our communities deserve to feel safe and protected where they live and these sentences show our continued commitment to tackling serious violence and remove offenders from our streets.”
