Two men sentenced for machete attack in Stretford

Today (01/02/2024), Mustapha Kolifa (DOB: 02/02/03) of Totnes Road in Sale and Cameron Healey-Jennings (DOB: 13/09/01) of Lindow Road in Trafford were sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court for a machete attack which took place outside a shop on Chester Road in Stretford.

Both men were charged with section 18 grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. Healey-Jennings was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in jail whilst Kolifa was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months.

The sentences relate to the attack which occurred on Thursday 6 April 2023 at around 10.45pm, when the victim exited a grocery shop to find Kolifa and Healey-Jennings waiting for him outside. The pair were then seen on CCTV using machetes to attack the victim.

The victim ran into the shop and shut the door. Kolifa, with the machete in his hand, ran and kicked the door but was unable to get in.

Following the arrest of Kolifa, he was found to have two machetes at his home, which officers seized. 

Judge Moxon said: "You were without doubt the aggressors throughout the incidents. You are clearly both extremely immature. Week after week we hear of young men being stabbed to death by young men such as yourselves."

Detective Housley of GMP’s Trafford District said: “This was a terrifying incident for the victim in an unprovoked assault. Fortunately, the victim did not suffer life changing injuries, however this highly aggressive and unrestrained attack could have easily resulted in fatal consequences. 

"There were many members of the public coming in and out of the shop around the time of the attack, who could have also easily been injured too. The perpetrators have absolutely no regard for the safety of others and the law.

"They think it is acceptable to walk around the streets of Manchester armed with machetes. Further aggravating is around the time of this incident Kolifa uploaded a music video onto YouTube in which he bragged about violence in the Gorse Hill and Old Trafford area.

“It is completely unacceptable to carry weapons on the streets of Manchester. GMP will continue to take any such incidents very seriously and continue to seek prosecutions and custodial sentences for anyone who chooses to carry a weapon.”