Boys who murdered air cadet, 14, jailed for life

Nathaniel Shani was murdered by two boys, aged 14 and 15

Two teenage boys who went to a fight armed with a knife and screwdriver have been jailed for life for murdering a 14-year-old air cadet.

Nathaniel Shani, who was unarmed, was fatally stabbed on 15 September 2023 in Tavistock Square, Harpurhey, Manchester.

Two boys, aged 14 and 15, were convicted of murder in April at Manchester Crown Court and must serve a minimum of 10 years.

The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were both remanded into a young offenders institute.

Life-saving attempts

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the 15-year-old boy admitted he fatally stabbed Nathaniel in the neck, but claimed in court he was acting in self-defence.

The force added the 14-year-old boy had "encouraged" the other boy to fatally injure Nathaniel.

The teenager was found seriously injured at about 18:00 BST, and "despite the best efforts" of the public, police and paramedics he died in hospital.

A police investigation of hundreds of hours of CCTV and phone data revealed incriminating social media conversations and a full timeline of the events leading up to the murder, GMP said.

Det Ch Insp Gina Brennand said the boy's family "will never get over this tragic loss of life".

"On the night of the murder, Nathaniel was ironing his cadet uniform and polishing his boots, something which he was immensely proud of, before he left the house and never returned," she added.