Four jailed for 'sickening' machete and gun attack

Police said the victim was "lucky to be alive" following the attack in October 2024

Four attackers chased a 21-year-old man before he was hit with machetes and then shot as he tried to stand up, a court has heard.

Manchester Crown Court was told the unnamed 21-year-old was spotted in an alleyway by his attackers as they rode electric bikes along Hampden Crescent in Gorton on 7 October 2024.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the victim, who managed to drag himself away despite having been struck repeatedly with the knives and then shot in the leg, suffered "horrific, life-changing injuries".

The defendants - all convicted of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life - were jailed for between 20 and 40 years.

Members of the jury were told the defendants had spotted their victim in the alley.

After the victim unsuccessfully tried to hide by crouching behind a parked van and a tree, his attackers got off their electric bikes and gave chase.

GMP said Kellen Mongeme and Zak Morris, both 17 at the time, brandished machetes while 27-year-old Kavon Haselden-Hoyle held a shotgun.

Police said the victim then tried to jump over a garden fence but was grabbed and struck repeatedly with the machetes before falling to the ground.

As he tried to get to his feet, Haselden-Hoyle opened fire.

The shot hit one of the 21-year-old's legs but he managed to drag himself away as the group of attackers fled the scene.

'Lucky to be alive'

Detectives, who gathered and pored through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and phone records, established that the four had met at a house in Ardwick to plan the attack.

In preparation for the shooting, they intentionally left their mobile phones behind and changed their clothing in a bid to conceal their identities.

Speaking after sentencing, Det Insp Louise Edwards said: "The extreme level of violence used in this attack was sickening.

"The attack was carried out in broad daylight and the victim was struck repeatedly with machetes and blasted with a shotgun.

"He has been left with extremely serious life-changing injuries, including the partial loss of his leg, and is lucky to be alive.

"The four perpetrators have shown no remorse throughout the investigation.

"The streets of Manchester are safer now that these men have been jailed."

Following their five-week trial, Haselden-Hoyle of Beamish Close, Ardwick was jailed for 40 years.

Xarvae Forrester, 21 and of Greengage, Ardwick, was jailed for 26 years.

Mongeme, now 18 and of Haymarket Street, Ardwick, was handed a 21-year prison sentence.

Zak Morris, 17 and of Silverlace Avenue, Openshaw, was detained for 20 years.