Two men have been jailed for five years for their roles in summer disorder – and officers are working to tackle outstanding suspects

Jack Cregan and Colin Brown were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court this week.

Colin Brown (04/07/1987) of Moorcroft Road in Northern Moor pleaded guilty to violent disorder and robbery at an earlier hearing. Brown was jailed for two-years-and-four-months.

On August 3 2024, in Piccadilly Gardens, he was in the group that breached the metal barriers separating different protest groups, and was part of the group that attacked a man. Brown was also shouting at and goading other groups and the police, trying to provoke fighting.  

Brown also pulled a scarf from a victim with force and stole it.

Jack Cregan (23/11/1991) of Argyll Close, Failsworth, has been jailed for two-and-a-half-years following an investigation by specialist detectives following recent disorder in Newton Heath which saw a bus driver assaulted, thousands of pounds worth of criminal damage caused, and emergency service workers attacked.

Following a diligent investigation, Cregan had little choice but to plead guilty to actual bodily harm against the bus driver and violent disorder.

On Wednesday 31 July, police were called to reports of violent disorder on Oldham Road in Newton Heath, Manchester. During the disorder, a bus driver was assaulted as Cregan launched a violent and unprovoked attack.

When arrested, Cregan lied, claiming it couldn’t possibly be him as he was committing crime in Derbyshire that night. However, extensive phone analysis placed Cregan on Oldham Road at the time of the disorder. Police also recovered several videos from his phone, implicating him.

During a search of his house in Failsworth, police found his phone hidden and sellotaped under a kitchen cabinet. He had mistakenly left the phone on vibrate, so all it took was one phone call to unravel his lies. 

DCI Jill Billington said: “GMP are committed to protecting all communities and as demonstrated we are dedicated to employing our resources to seek justice for those subjected to racially motivated crimes.

"To date 20 adults have been sentenced for the disorder at Newton Heath, resulting in more than 25 years of custodial sentences. 

“We are continuing to investigate, locate and trace those who were involved in this deplorable and unnecessary violence, and we remain focused on keeping our communities safe whilst bringing swift justice alongside the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Your help has seen more than 200 reports of information submitted to us which has helped identify 151 suspects. Many of our suspects may have been through court, but we’re not done yet.

“If you recognise any of these people then please get in touch and help ensure all those involved are brought to justice.”

Detectives are still appealing for information about the identity of the remaining people we are wanting to speak to relating to disorder:

• Outside Rochdale police station on Thursday 25 July - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP24S78-PO1
• On Oldham Road in Newton Heath on Wednesday 31 July - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP24S74-PO1
• In Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on Saturday 3 August - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP24S75-PO1
• On Mosley Street in Manchester on Saturday 3 August - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP24S77-PO1
• In Bolton town centre on Sunday August 4 - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP24S76-PO1