Latest news with #ManchesterEveningNews
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Uber driver dropped a cigarette – then I got letter that tore my life apart'
Heartbroken Abar Ahmed was left stunned after receiving a letter from Manchester council giving him a whopping fine for an offence he says he didn't commit - it has put his family through hell A devastated Manchester dad has been slapped with a huge fine for dropping a cigarette in the street, but he and his family insist it wasn't him. Heartbroken Abrar Ahmed, from Crumpsall, couldn't believe his eyes when he saw a letter from Manchester council in March. It told him he was being fined £433 for littering. Mr Ahmed then got in touch with the council having not been in the area and being a non-smoker. He requested access to the body-worn footage from an officer, and it emerged it was not him. But the case was adjourned because an appropriate interpreter had not been provided, meaning the fine has remained. Speaking on his behalf due to a language barrier, Mr Ahmed's brother-in-law Zahor Hussain told Manchester Evening News: 'His elder brother passed away from cancer in December, he's gone through absolute hell and back, as have the rest of our family. 'This is not something he needs and he is at the end of his tether. Someone who is not a criminal, now has to go before the court. They are pursuing the wrong person.' In the footage, the individual tells the enforcement officer that his name is 'Abrar Ahmed' and gives the same date of birth, yet gives an address in Bury. He also tells them he is a taxi driver and is seen to step out of the driver's seat of an Uber. Mr Hussain said: 'He doesn't smoke, he is a business manager and runs a food manufacturing business. This person was a taxi driver, and had parked up near to the Uber office. 'My brother-in-law has difficulties speaking English. This man is speaking English, they are speaking over each other. He gave the same name and date of birth as Abrar, but gave an address in Bury. 'The letter then came here, to my brother-in-law's address. He has never lived in Bury. The man in the footage is not my brother in law.' As a result, Mr Ahmed has been suffering with his mental health. 'We feel like we have gone to hell and back. We shouldn't have to do this,' he said. The family have since sent the investigations team evidence including images of the footage and Mr Ahmed. 'We are extremely anxious and have been left with mental anguish and distress. We don't know what to do,' Mr Hussain added. A hearing at Tameside Magistrates Court was convened to withdraw the conviction but the hearing had to be adjourned due to issues providing an appropriate interpreter by the court. A further hearing has been planned in June to formally withdraw the fine. 'We are not getting anywhere and it feels like smashing my head against a brick wall. It is a wrongful conviction - clearly they are two different individuals. We are being passed from pillar to post. How is that justified?,' said Mr Hussain. A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: "We have been made aware of a case of mistaken identity involving Mr Abrar Ahmed who was fined for littering a cigarette after another individual allegedly provided false details to an enforcement officer. "Mr Ahmed has since provided evidence that suggests he was not at fault and our investigation officers have reopened the case to withdraw the fine as soon as possible through the courts. "We want to sincerely apologise to Mr Ahmed and his family for the distress caused by this incident and investigations are ongoing to locate the real suspect."
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Urgent appeal issued to find missing man - call 999 if you see him
People are being urged to dial 999 if they see a missing Stockport man. Greater Manchester Police says Syed was last seen at 6.30pm yesterday evening (May 28). He was seen on Manor Road, in Bramhall, at the time. Syed's age and surname have not been given by GMP. READ MORE: 'We're sleeping in a tent in Stockport town centre - we need more help' READ MORE: 'An Uber driver dropped a cigarette in the street, then I got a letter that tore my family's life apart' Syed is described as being Asian, around 5ft 8ins tall and of medium build. GMP says he may have been driving a grey Nissan Micra at the time of his disappearance. Syed was last seen wearing a black jacket with an orange lining, a grey t-shirt, grey pants and white trainers. He may also be carrying a small, black rucksack. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE GMP has issued a photo of Syed alongside an urgent appeal to find him this afternoon (Thursday). Anyone who sees Syed or has information on his whereabouts is urged to come forward as soon as possible. A GMP spokesperson added: "Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about him and want to make sure he is found safe and well. "Anyone with information about Syed's whereabouts should call police on 101 or 999 quoting log 79 of May 29, 2025." --- For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the latest. Follow us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page here. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Major search underway as Warrington man, 39, goes missing in Peru
Loved ones of a Warrington man have flown out to Peru after he disappeared in the South American country. Jamie Cooke, 39, was last seen in the city of Miraflores on Monday (May 26). The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) says it is aware of Jamie's disappearance and is supporting his family. READ MORE: Man United given green light to complete 'free' Bryan Mbeumo transfer with brutal sale READ MORE: David de Gea responds as statement made after Man United decision confirmed His sister, Jade Mckay, says she has flown out to Peru with her partner to try and find her brother. In a public Facebook post asking people for help, she wrote: "My brother, Jamie Cooke, 39 years old, is missing in Peru. "I have travelled from the UK to search for him and am currently in Miraflores with my partner. "We are very worried and would appreciate any information from UK citizens traveling in the area. "Please share and contact us if you have any news." Two images of Jamie have been shared by the family as part of an appeal to find him. Anyone with information about his disappearance is urged to come forward as soon as possible. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man reported as missing in Peru and are in contact with his local authorities.' Information can be passed on to authorities in Peru by calling +51 964 619 553. Jamie's family and Cheshire Police have been approached for further details. --- For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the latest. Follow us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page here. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Daily Record
Sick mum arranged for sex offender to stay at her home to abuse daughter
The woman planned for him to stay for a week while her husband was away, a court was told. A mum arranged for a registered sex offender to come to her house with the intention of abusing her 12-year-old daughter, a court has heard. John Davies, 45, had explicit discussions with the woman about the sexual abuse that would take place, with the pair deciding what clothes her daughter would wear and how he intended to use his collection of sex toys on her. The plans were made for him to stay at the woman's house in Birmingham for a week while her husband was away, with him adding the young girl would be "sore by the end of the week". Following his appearance at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Davies, from Fenton, Staffordshire, has been handed an extended 20-year prison sentence, made up of 14-and-a-half years in custody and five-and-a-half years serving an extended licence. He had previously served time behind bars in 2016 for offences including attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and attempted sexual activity with a child under 16, Manchester Evening News reports. He breached the Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on five occasions between 2022 and 2023. Last April, he told his offender manager he had a second mobile phone and needed help. Police recovered the phone from a kitchen cupboard, and analysed its contents. It held 132 indecent images of children which were category A, the most serious, with another 35 at category B and 77 at category C. Prosecutor Josh Daley said: "The images showed young girls, aged six to nine, being raped and in pain. The defendant was asked what age he likes and he said, 'Ideally seven to 10 being f*****'. He used 15 instant messaging services, using usernames without telling the police. The court heard he engaged in a chat on the app Kik, but it was unclear whether she was a child. However, the most serious charge involved his plans with the woman in Birmingham to sexually abuse her young daughter. Mr Daley said: "He sent a picture of his sex toy collection and discussed how he would use gags, restraints and a collar. He said, 'It is a fantasy of mine. I want somebody to give me a chance'. He also sent a category A image of a child aged between seven and nine." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Paul Cliff, mitigating, said it was Davies' honesty in telling his offender manager about the second phone which brought about the convictions, adding no physical abuse took place on the girl. Judge Graeme Smith said in his view Davies was 'undoubtedly dangerous'. He said: "You discussed at length in disgustingly graphic detail what you intended to do to the woman's 12-year-old daughter." The judge added there was further degradation and humiliation intended to the victim through the use of sex toys. Davies admitted to arranging the commission of a child sex offence (rape of a child under 13), attempted sexual communication with a child, distributing a class A indecent image of a child, three charges of making indecent images of children, and three charges of breaching a SHPO. A jury later found him guilty of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence - rape or assault by penetration of a child under 13. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Winning Lotto and Thunderball numbers for Wednesday, May 28
Tonight's winning Lotto and Thunderball numbers have been drawn. Tonight's National Lottery Lotto winning numbers are: 08, 28, 31, 33, 49, 55. The Bonus Ball is 13. READ MORE: Why the man arrested in the Liverpool parade crash can't be named READ MORE: Aldi set to offer free food outside McDonalds restaurants across UK Tonight's estimated jackpot is £2 million. Tonight's National Lottery Thunderball winning numbers are: 03, 07, 08, 18, 28. The Thunderball is 09. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
