Four teenagers sentenced to over 70 years for the daylight murder of Kyle Hackland

Yousef Sesay (24/11/2004) of Denton Road, Audenshaw and Lewis Ludford (05/12/2004) of Aylesby Avenue, Gorton, along with two others who can now be named after media restrictions were lifted.

These are Tafari Kosey-Smith (26/06/2006) of Lancashire Hill, Stockport and Alife Benson (30/03/2006) of Wellington Road North, Stockport.

Sesay was sentenced to 22 years, Ludford for 21 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article) and Kosey-Smith for 19 years (with two years concurrent for a bladed article), after all were found guilty of murder.

Whilst Benson was jailed for 12 years (with two years concurrent for burglary offences) after being found guilty of manslaughter at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Tuesday 3 October 2023.

Kyle Hackland, who was 17 at the time, was stabbed to death in broad daylight, around midday, in Withington back in mid-November 2022.

In a premediated revenge attack after Yousef Sesay was robbed by Kyle’s friend of around £1,000 during a drug deal the day before, all four denied murder at court but three were found guilty after a six-week trial, with Benson found guilty of manslaughter.

Those sentenced drove around the area in a stolen Volkswagen Golf looking to seek revenge when they came across a Mercedes vehicle which they wrongly believed was connected to Kyle’s friend.

The group attacked the vehicle with weapons by smashing the windscreen before continuing their hunt when within minutes they came across Kyle and his friend walking along Southlea Road.

His friend subsequently ran from the scene leaving Kyle alone with the entire incident being captured on CCTV. One of those carrying out the chilling attack could be heard shouting loudly ‘chef him’ on four occasions, immediately before Kyle was brutally attacked with knives.

The violent assault on Kyle continued by three of the four before returning to the waiting car which was driven away at speed by the other member of the group, leaving Kyle to collapse on a driveway where members of the public tried to save his life before emergency services responded to the scene.

Despite everyone's best attempts, Kyle sadly died a short time later at hospital as a direct result of the catastrophic injuries inflicted on him.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector David Moores said; “This is another heart-breaking example of how carrying a knife can have devastating consequences in a matter of seconds.

“Our thoughts as a force are once again with Kyle’s loved ones who will have to continue to live with the pain, but hopefully this can be eased in some way with the conviction of his killers.

“Officers in our Major Incident Team have worked tirelessly to bring justice, and, in our role, we are reminding any young person willing to carry a knife to put it down and think twice before doing so. It is not worth it and can ultimately cost yours and other people’s lives.”

Kyle Hackland

Paying tribute to him around the time of the incident, Kyle’s family added; “We are devastated by the death of our beloved Kyle. He was such a kind and well-mannered young boy who always looked out for his family – never failing to say ‘love you’ as he walked out the door.

“There are no words that can even begin to describe the pain we feel. We have always been such a close family, and this has shattered us all.

“He will forever be missed as a beautiful son as well as a caring and helpful big brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. Life will never be the same without him, we are completely broken.”

We all have a part to play in fighting, preventing, and reducing knife crime. If you know or suspect someone is carrying a knife, please report it immediately. Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Anonymous reports can be made via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Whilst 11-17-year-olds can make anonymous reports via Fearless.org.

Yousef Sesay

Lewis Ludford

Tafari Kosey-Smith

Alfie Benson