Trafford man who tried to murder 'complete stranger' jailed

Michael Canning left his innocent victim with more than 30 stab wounds, say police

A man who tried to murder a "complete stranger" as they were walking home from work has been jailed for life.

Greater Manchester Police said Michael Canning's "ferocious" attack on the man in June 2023 left him with 30 wounds.

It said the 23-year-old later told a jury he did it "because he wanted to be arrested for something".

Canning, previously of Trafford, was found guilty of attempted murder at Manchester Crown Court and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.

The force said Canning had waited "for someone to hurt in an alleyway" before attacking the man at about 17:00 BST on 19 June 2023.

He fled the scene, as passers-by called an ambulance and the man was taken to hospital for treatment.

'Convoluted'

A police representative said Canning was identified as a suspect and arrested and charged within days of the attack "following an extensive investigation", which included a "meticulous review" of doorbell and CCTV footage".

Speaking after sentencing, Det Supt Phill Xavier said on arrest, Canning "denied having anything to do with the attack".

"At court, he claimed that he did not tell the truth in his police interview as he had not accepted what he had done.

"He claimed that he committed the attack because he wanted to be arrested for something... but Canning went out that day with a face covering and used a convoluted route back to his home address to evade detection."

He added that he was "pleased" the jury "paid attention to all the evidence and have rightly found this violent offender guilty".

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