Machete attack in Rochdale: three sentenced over organised crime feud
Three people have been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for a machete attack on Mellor Street, Rochdale, in May 2021 that left one victim with life-changing injuries.
Three jailed over Rochdale machete attack linked to rival drug gangs
Three people have been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for their roles in a violent machete attack in Rochdale in May 2021, hellorayo.co.uk reports. The assault on Mellor Street stemmed from an escalating feud between rival organised crime groups involved in drug supply in the area.
Asad Ali, 31, of Marne Crescent, Rochdale, was handed a six-year sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to wound with intent. He orchestrated the attack remotely, coordinating the use of weapons and transport without being present at the scene.
Hasan Alam, 26, of Dean Court, Rochdale, received eight years for a combination of offences: violent disorder, driving whilst disqualified, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and money laundering. Alam acted as the getaway driver during the attack.
Sonia Ali, 34, of Burnley Lane, Oldham, was sentenced to 18 months for failing to comply with a section 49 notice and participating in organised crime activities. During the attack she served as a decoy, helping the armed men gain entry to the property. She subsequently refused investigators access to her mobile device.
On 22nd May 2021, two men armed with a machete and an axe entered the property on Mellor Street. One victim sustained life-changing injuries; a second suffered minor wounds. The trio were sentenced on 19th June at Manchester Crown Court.
Detective Constable Melanie Jeffery described the assault as brazen and dangerous. "This was a shocking and deeply unsettling attack," she said. "The extreme violence displayed was utterly reckless." Jeffery added that officers would continue to pursue those responsible for serious criminality in the area.
Detective Inspector Sam Taylor of Greater Manchester Police's Rochdale CID highlighted the level of planning involved. "Thanks to a thorough investigation, we were able to bring those responsible before the courts," Taylor said, stressing the force's ongoing commitment to tackling knife crime and organised crime across Rochdale and beyond.
One of the attackers who carried out the assault was jailed in 2021. A second attacker remains at large.
Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)