Two killer drivers have been jailed for taking the life of an innocent member of the public. One had stolen a car - the other was a learner driver.
Also locked up this week in Greater Manchester was a drug dealer who hid a gun under his patio, and a rapist who attacked a woman on a night out.
Prison terms are handed down to the worst offenders each week at our region’s courts. And Manchester Evening News reporters are on hand to cover the most serious cases.
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'Selfish' thug stole car before high-speed police pursuit which resulted in death of beloved mum
A ‘selfish’ thug stole an Audi before leading police on a high-speed pursuit which resulted in the catastrophic death of a beloved mum. Marcel Doyle, 47, stole the car from a driveway as a man was waiting to take his wife to work.
He was then caught on CCTV switching the registration plates before overtaking an unmarked police car at speed. As the car followed him down a number of streets in Royton, Oldham, they reached speeds of 80mph, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
As he was making his way down Oldham Road, Heather Smedley was at the front of a line of traffic waiting to turn right onto Otmoor Way. Doyle then turned into the junction, narrowly avoiding Mrs Smedley.
The police car, which was one second behind Doyle, then collided with the side of Mrs Smedley’s car. She sustained multiple injuries and sadly died at the scene.
Doyle, having pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, was today (July 4) jailed for 14 years and 11 months.
Drug dealing 'family man' with EncroChat alter ego hid gun under his patio
A drug dealing 'family man' with an EncroChat alter ego hid a gun under his patio. John Duffy, 41, was part of a gang which helped to import huge amounts of cocaine and heroin into the UK.
He and his fellow gang members used encrypted mobile phones to run the operation and arrange deliveries around north east Manchester. Manchester Crown Court heard Duffy was a 'highly-trusted member' of the group, responsible for delivering drugs to customers as well as obtaining and storing guns and ammunition.
Michael Brady KC, prosecuting, said Duffy used his Harpurhey home to store the drugs and weapons, which were used to 'protect and enforce' the gang's operation. Police uncovered the plot after the EncroChat network, an encrypted messaging platform used by criminals, was cracked by the National Crime Agency in 2020.
Duffy went by the username ‘Pondraisin’ and messages showed he had made multiple deliveries of cocaine, heroin and cannabis to customers under instruction from his friend and boss within the operation, Nathan Loftus. The court heard that between April and June 2020, Duffy had delivered 10kg of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin and a 'substantial amount' of cannabis.
Duffy, of Oldershaw Drive, Harpurhey, pleaded guilty conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis; and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and was jailed for 17 years.
Nathan Loftus, of Wilton Drive, Bury, was jailed for 22 years in October 2021 for his role in the huge drugs plot. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import heroin and cocaine.
Sean Doyle, who worked as a driver for the operation, was locked up for seven years. Doyle, of Wavertree Road, Blackley, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.
Vile predator approached woman on night out then raped her in 'secluded area'
A vile predator approached a woman on a night out in Rochdale before raping her in a 'secluded area'. Francis Henshaw, from Heywood, attacked the woman in Rochdale town centre in December last year, police said. He raped and sexually assaulted her.
Just two months before, in September 2022, the 42-year-old had sexually assaulted a teenage girl as she made her way to work in Manchester city centre. Police said he 'pressured the victim to join him in a back street' before he attacked her.
A member of the public stepped in and led the victim to safety. Following an extensive investigation, Henshaw was charged with rape and sexual assault.
Yesterday (July 3), at Minshull Street Crown Court, he was found guilty of both offences. He was jailed for nine years with a two-year extended licence.
This is the killer learner driver who took a beloved grandad's life
This is the face of the learner driver who killed a grandad as he cycled to work. Ravi Singh Ratthore should not have been behind the wheel when he ploughed into Roger Parris.
Tears were shed as 13 of Mr Parris' loved ones packed the public gallery in courtroom four and tributes were paid to their 'beacon of strength' with a 'zest for life'. His life was tragically cut short months before his planned retirement.
The court heard Mr Parris, a milkman from Salford, was cycling along Centenary Bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal while on his way to work in Eccles.
Mr Parris had been cycling on the main carriageway at around 12.50am on December 20, 2021, having previously complained about the 'state of repair of the cycle path'. Prosecuting, John Kennerley said Mr Parris was wearing a helmet and reflective clothing, while his bicycle had functioning lights on the front and rear and the road was 'illuminated by street lights'.
But Singh Ratthore, 22, failed to notice the experienced cyclist before driving into him from behind. Despite only holding a provisional licence, Singh Ratthore drove a silver Volkswagen Golf unsupervised and without L plates, the court heard.
CCTV footage captured Singh Ratthore driving behind Mr Parris on the inside lane, while a BMW was driven 'almost parallel' to his Golf in the outside lane. Greater Manchester Police estimated the two cars were travelling at between 52mph and 58mph, on a road with a 40mph limit.
The court heard Singh Ratthore continued to drive with a damaged windscreen, before returning using two roundabouts. By the time he was back at the scene, a member of the public had already stopped to call emergency services.
Singh Latthore pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention, and causing death whilst driving not in accordance to his provisional licence, having been unsupervised while hitting Mr Parris. Singh Ratthore, of Lime Crescent, Old Trafford, was sentenced to 14 months in prison and will be eligible for release on licence.
'The fact he returned the following day showed he was completely unrepentant'
A man threatened 'terrified' railway staff with a knife after they refused to let him through the ticket barrier.
Ashley Skelly approached the barriers at Stockport station on June 20 this year. He became 'aggressive' with two female staff members after he was refused entry due to a previous incident that day, British Transport Police said.
The 33-year-old then pulled out a Stanley knife and held it up at them, leaving them 'genuinely afraid for their safety'. The next day, he went back to the station and was spotted by officers.
He was arrested and found to be carrying the Stanley knife again. As he was taken to custody, he 'continued to be aggressive and agitated' and damaged his handcuffs.
Skelly, of HMP Liverpool, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, two counts of making threats to kill and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 26 weeks at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court.
