Cops in Salford are interested in identifying a man after an alleged attempted rape of another man.
At around 1am on Sunday 21 October 2018 the victim – a man in his 20s – was walking on a path that leads from Cottenham Lane to Mary Street when he was approached by an unknown man.
The man asked the victim if he wanted to engage in sexual activity and he said no. The attacker then punched him several times before trying to rape him.
The victim managed to get away and then reported the offence to police.
Detective Constable David Prowse, from GMP’s Salford district, said, “We have been offering our support to the victim since this awful attack occurred and we are doing everything we can to find the man responsible.
“As part of our enquiries we have a picture of a man we need to speak to, as we think they could hold key information.
“I know the picture isn’t very clear but the man is quite distinctive and I think anyone who knows him will recognise him.
“I urge you to get in touch, or if this is you then please also make contact with us.”
Anyone with any information should call police on 0161 856 5355 quoting incident number 156 of 21 October 2018.
Information can also be passed on to the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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A 15-year boy has been arrested after an alleged homophobic assault against another 15-year-old boy in Bury, north of Manchester in the UK. Shortly after 3:30PM on Monday, 11th Feb the victim, an unnamed student who is also 15-years-old was set upon by a number of males, according to a police report.
A confrontation then took place on Manchester Road Park, before the boy was assaulted by a number of males. The boy was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged.
A boy aged 15 has been arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody. Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the incident.
“Cowardly Attack”
Chief Inspector Phil Spurgeon of GMP’s Bury Division said, “This was a cowardly attack on a young man who was subjected to vile, homophobic abuse.
“After challenging his abusers, he was then assaulted by a number of offenders and had to be treated in hospital for his injuries. We are treating this offence with the utmost seriousness. We will not tolerate hate crime and will do everything in our power to apprehend offenders. While we have arrested one person, we are continuing to appeal for information on this crime and would ask that anyone if information contacts police immediately.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8172 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Anyone who thinks they have experienced hate crime should call police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.
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A ruthless teenager has been jailed for life after being found guilty of the brutal murder of another man, in his own home.
(C) GMP
19-year-old Daniel Kurmelovs (22/05/2000) of Dalton Road, Middleton was sentenced to life with a minimum of 25 years after being found guilty of the murder of a fifty-three-year-old man, Frank Lennon, at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.
Kurmelovs had strangled his victim to death and try to cover his tracks by splashing the body with toothpaste and cleaning products in an attempt to cover his tracks. After murdering Frank, Kurmelovs ransacked his victim’s home and stole cash, jewellery and other items.
Frank’s body was discovered by his siblings after they failed to hear back from him over the weekend. They went to his flat where they sadly discovered his body.
Strangled, fractured ribs and cuts to his ears
A post mortem determined that Frank had been killed by a compression to the neck. He also suffered fractured ribs and other injuries including cuts to his ear, which Kurmelovs had done with scissors in a bid to see whether Frank was still alive.
During the trial, the court heard how on the evening of Friday 20 July 2018, Frank had met Kurmelovs in a chance meeting in Manchester’s gay village.
The pair walked towards Chorlton Street bus station before catching a taxi to Frank’s home where they were intimate. They then walked inside his flat on Hamerton Road, Collyhurst shortly before 10 pm.
Six days later – having dramatically altered his appearance by shaving his head – Kurmelovs visited a friend in Middleton where he admitted to murdering a man for his cigarettes which he then attempted to sell.
Officers were alerted and Kurmelovs was arrested.
Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tonge, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said, “Kurmelovs brutally murdered Frank in his own home. Not satisfied that he was dead, he even took some scissors and cut Frank’s ear – an attempt, he claimed, to see if he was alive.
“Frank also suffered fractured ribs at the hands of Kurmelovs who undeterred by his actions, set about ransacking his flat and stealing his possessions which he brazenly tried to sell just days later.
“Kurmelovs tried to suggest that his actions were accidental and eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter but thankfully the jury were able to see through that excuse and today convicted him of murder.
“My thoughts remain with Frank’s family who have had to sit through the agony of a trial and the suffering of Kurmelovs’ excuses but I hope today can provide them with some comfort, knowing the man responsible is locked away where he can’t harm anyone else.”
“Loved by all”
(C) GMP
Paying tribute to Frank, his family said, “Frank was much loved by all his family and friends and had much life ahead of him.
“Frank was taken from us in July in completely unnecessary circumstances. We cannot express how devastated we are that his life has been stolen from him.
“Frank is missed every minute of every day.
“Today his killer has been sentenced, and justice has been served.
“We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Frank back or make our loss any easier.
“We need to attempt to move on and hopefully today will now provide closure for our pain over the last few months, however, we will never forget Frank or the many memories he has given us.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few months.”
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The Pride’s CEO has decided that Manchester will adopt Philadelphia’s black and brown rainbow flag which recognises and includes people of colour.
The “more colour” rainbow flag or “Philly flag” which includes a brown and black stripe will be used by Manchester Pride in 2019. The flag was first introduced by the city of Philadelphia in 2017 to “fuel the important conversation” of “recognizing people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community”. The US city has a large Black or African American community, which stands around 43 per cent of the population. Manchester in the UK is home to a large Asian community, which stands around 17 per cent and about 9 per cent for black people.
Mark Fletcher, the CEO of Manchester Pride told THEGAYUK, “We have seen that the iconic rainbow must adapt to reflect the modern society that we live in. A lot has happened but there is still a long way to go, especially in the recognition of people of colour in the LGBT+ community.
“To highlight the importance of this we’ve decided to adopt the 8 stripe flag created by the city of Philadelphia, USA as part of our logo.”
The Rainbow flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 and has been adapted over the years. It originally contained two extra colours, Pink and Cyan, which were later dropped to have just six colours, which is the most recognised version of the iconic symbol.
The symbol for the LGBT community made its debut in San Franciso in 1978. It was displayed at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day parade in 1978. It has since gone on to be recognised worldwide as the symbol for LGBT spaces, venues and pride. The longest ever version of the flag was debuted in Key West, Florida in 2003.
Bag searches and metal detectors should be mandatory at big venues across the country.
The mother of Martyn Hett, who was tragically killed in a terrorist attack in Manchester is calling on the government to enact a law that would make bag searches and metal detectors mandatory at the enterances of concert halls, arenas and stadiums across the country.
Figen Murray who is Martyn’s mother says that she recently went to a concert and was shocked to find that nobody checked her tickets or bags. She writes, “Some places do checks, some have metal detectors, some open doors at the interval for smokers, but then anyone can walk in from the street.”
Ms Murray has started an online petition calling for metal detectors, bag searches and obligatory safety measures for big public venues. A move which she says should be standardised. She is hoping the law would be called “Martyn’s Law”.
Asia O’Hara, Detox, Eureka O’hara, Kameron Michaels, Kim Chi, Monét X Change, Naomi Smalls, Sharon Needles Violet Chachki and Michelle Visage are all coming to Manchester in 2019 here’s where you can get tickets.
RuPaul’s Drag Race ‘Werq The World Tour’ is returning to Manchester in 2019 with its biggest UK show ever. The tour which showcases some of the best stars from the hit TV series will play Manchester’s O2 Apollo Manchester on the 9th May 2019.
BOOK TICKETS TO SEE WERQ THE WORLD in Manchester
Produced by Voss Events, Drag Race producers World of Wonder and VH1, the all-new production follows a team of intergalactic queens including Aquaria, Asia O’Hara, Detox, Eureka O’Hara, Kameron Michaels, Kim Chi, Monét X Change, Naomi Smalls, Sharon Needles and Violet Chachki on their mission to the sun to save our solar system from a dark entity intent on harnessing its power.
Mission leader Michelle Visage guides the audience through the universe for a dynamic display of the wonders held by each planet and its regal sovereign.
Tickets go on sale December 19 (pre-sale begins December 17), just in time for the holidays.
“This is the biggest, most elaborate production we have ever created,” says an exuberant Brandon Voss, the show’s producer.
“The music, sets, fashion, choreography and lighting are all a cosmic feast for the senses. Audiences will be in awe as their favourite queens come together on some incredible numbers.”
“Werq the World is the official Drag Race tour for a reason,” continues Visage. “The show has always been a theatrical production of the highest calibre but in 2019, we’re stepping it up into the stratosphere. This show is going to leave fans gagging and I’m not afraid to say that my performance, in particular, will give you life.”
Voss Events is a leading production company that consistently delivers superior entertainment programming. Past events have featured stars such as Lady Gaga and Cher.
The queens will be coming to Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester, London, Bristol, Glasgow and Sunderland.
The WERQ THE WORLD TOUR will travel major cities in Europe, Asia, Australia, North and Latin America in 2019. To book tickets for the Manchester date click here
Bright lights, the smell of the greasepaint, the likes on Instagram
The team behind the brand new musical Club Mex is holding open auditions, on Instagram.
Club Mex is being described as “a part-immersive, part-musical clubbing experience, will get its world premiere at the Hope Mill Theatre, in Manchester in early 2019.
The show centres around Mel and her two best mates as they experience the highs, lows and hangovers of Cancun in a heart-warming coming-of-age comedy.
It is directed by West End star Julie Atherton who has been working on the development of the show with Perfect Pitch Musicals over the last couple of years. “When the guys at Perfect Pitch first approached me to get involved I knew it was an idea I wanted to play with and explore how involved the audience could be. After a workshop last year at Edge Hill university we soon realised audiences are very happy to be in the heart of where the action takes place and this piece allows them to do just that.”
Applications will be via Instagram, with further details on Club Mex’s website: www.theclubmex.com.
Recalls will be offered in London on 8 October and Manchester on 12 October. ”We are looking for people with funny bones and strong vocal ability, however there is no requirement for formal training. We want to hear from you if you love singing and making people laugh!”
A man has been charged in connection to an assault which left the victim in a “critical condition” in the heart of Manchester’s gay village.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with section 18 assault.
Adil Mohammed Ali (04/04/1997) of no fixed abode was remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester & Salford Magistrates’ Court today, Monday 2 July 2018.
A 60-year-old man – who was cross-dressed at the time – had been outside AXM bar when he was assaulted.
He remains in hospital in a critical condition.
We have reached out to Manchester Police to ascertain whether the victim identifies as a man or woman, who have been unable to speak to the victim due to the victim’s injuries, however, the victim’s family says he identifies as a man.
Police are calling for witnesses to a vicious assault in the heart of Manchester’s gay village, which left the victim in a “critical condition”
A person who was “cross-dressed” has been attacked outside one of Manchester’s most famous gay venues AXM. The attack happened at around 4.45am on Saturday 30 June 2018, police were called to reports of an assault on Bloom Street.
Manchester Police report, “A 60-year-old man – who was cross-dressed at the time of the assault – had been outside AXM bar when he was approached by a man who punched him to the floor.
“The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition”.
We have reached out to Manchester Police to ascertain whether the victim identifies as a man or woman, who have been unable to speak to the victim due to the victim’s injuries, however, the victim’s family says he identifies as a man.
21-year-old arrested
A 21-year-old man was arrested at nearby on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody for questioning.
Enquiries are ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with information to contact police.
Detective Inspector Patrick Goodrich, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said, “This was a shocking attack on an innocent man who was enjoying his evening but has now been left in a critical condition in hospital. Our thoughts remain with him and his family as he receives treatment.
“While we have arrested a man, our investigation is still in its very early stages and we are working hard to establish the exact circumstances that led to this incident although it is not believed to be a hate crime at this stage.
“We can see from CCTV footage that there was a white woman with blonde hair who was wearing a red top and black trousers in close proximity to the attack and we believe she may hold vital information. I want to stress that she is not in any trouble but I would urge her to get in touch as she may have key details that would assist our enquiries.”
“I would also appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the assault or anyone with information to get in touch.
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident number 471 of 30/06/2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
“These figures are a positive step in supporting victims and ensuring they are signposted to the right services that are then able to provide appropriate care.”
Last year the force created the D66 code, specifically to record incidents of domestic violence between LGBT+ couples.
It is hoped that recording these incidents will identify trends and patterns which will help implement appropriate practices to support survivors of domestic abuse.
“Positive Step”
Detective Superintendent Denise Worth from Greater Manchester Police said, “These figures are a positive step in supporting victims and ensuring they are signposted to the right services that are then able to provide appropriate care.
“The D66 coding is a simple process which enables us to identify the community affected and provide local authorities with latest figures which allows them to commission relevant services to support victims.
“Our findings and processes have also been shared nationally and we hope this will assist other forces in adopting their own practices to help those victims.”
The Force is also continuing its partnership with the national LGBT domestic abuse helpline at Galop to better understand the issues surrounding domestic abuse in the LGBT community and encourage victims and friends and family of victims to report the issue and have the confidence to come forward.
Peter Kelley Head of Domestic Abuse Service at Galop said, “Every day staff at our National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline are contacted by LGBT+ people looking for help and support with domestic abuse and violence. It’s really important that victims and survivors get the help they need without facing additional barriers because of their sexuality and gender identity. Galop fully supports the continued efforts of Greater Manchester Police to increase the number of LGBT+ people reporting domestic abuse through the D66 initiative and we hope that its success over the last year will encourage other police forces across the UK to adopt similar initiatives.”
Joanne Simpson, manager at Independent Choices said, “The implementation of the D66 code has revolutionised accessible and appropriate support for LGBT domestic abuse survivors. Independent Choices are proud to offer a domestic abuse support service that is Greater Manchester-wide in partnership with the LGBT Foundation. GMP using this code has meant that the service has run to capacity from the offset and that barriers have been broken down enabling LGBT Victim/survivors to receive appropriate, timely and accessible support.”
Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Bev Hughes said: “Greater Manchester has led the way as the first area to record domestic abuse within LGBT communities and now, one year on, we can show the positive impact of this work. This reporting code is giving us a clearer picture of abuse, helping to break down barriers and encourage people to report it.
“Vitally, this also means that we can ensure the right services are in place to support victims of domestic abuse while continuing to work with LGBT people to raise awareness of domestic abuse and empower more people to take that first step to seek help and support.”
As her wedding day approaches, Kelly buys her dream wedding dress, even though it is two sizes too small for her.
When Julia Fleshman, the head of a national slimming club chain, comes to town to judge a slimming contest live on TV, Kelly ends up going viral with her body confident comments; and seizing the opportunity for some publicity, Fleshman offers to pay for Kelly’s wedding if she can slim into the dress in time for the big day. But with the wedding only six weeks away, the pressure is on…
Fat Friends is very much a piece of crowd-pleasing theatre. Pulling together multiple stories of the good folk of Headingly, a town near Leeds, the stage is filled with likeable, if slightly caricatured, characters and is a straightforward evening of undemanding fun.
The show boasts a good cast, with Jodie Prenger taking the lead as Kelly, and doing so with a cocky northern confidence and a belting singing voice. Sam Bailey (The X-Factor) is great as Kelly’s Mum and Natasha Hamilton (from Atomic Kitten) is the scheming Julia Fleshman. Thrown into the mix is an affable turn from Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street) and ex-cricketer Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, who takes to the stage and fares better than expected with a slightly stilted, if not tongue in cheek, portrayal of Kevin, Kelly’s nice but dim fiancé.
The songs are amiable enough and used to move the story forward, and whilst they were perfectly pleasant to listen to and shoehorned a few laughs into the lyrics, they served their purpose well enough in terms of keeping up the show upbeat and jolly, but were ultimately fairly forgettable. The live orchestra added to the atmosphere within the theatre and the set design was a colourful cartoonish affair which was well lit and effective in its simplicity.
Written and directed by Kay Mellor, who wrote the original TV series that the show is based on; Fat Friends is a rather loud, boisterous and upbeat show, which really resonates with its target audience. It’s a rather clichéd musical by numbers, with a heavy-handed script, fairly trite lyrics and a rather unsubtle approach to its humour, but what it lacks in sophistication, it makes up for with likeable characters, a few good belly laughs and buckets-full of near the knuckle, northern charm.
Fat Friends is at the Opera House Manchester until the 24th March 2018, book tickets click here
