Three jailed for their roles in violent machete attack in Rochdale in 2021

Three people have been jailed for their roles in a violent machete attack linked to a feud between rival organised crime groups in Rochdale which took place on Mellor Street in Rochdale in May 2021.

Sonia Ali, Hasan Alam, and Asad Ali were all sentenced on Friday(19 June) at Manchester Crown Court.

- Asad Ali, (15/07/1994) of Marne Crescent, Rochdale, was sentenced to six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to wound with intent.

- Hasan Alam (07/12/1999) of Dean Court, Rochdale, was sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to violent disorder, driving whilst disqualified, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and money laundering.

- Sonia Ali, (07/03/1992) of Burnley Lane, Oldham was sentenced to 18 months after pleading guilty to failure to comply with a s.49 notice and participating in the criminal activities of an Organised Crime Group.

At around 12pm on Saturday 22 May 2021, two men, wearing balaclavas and carrying a machete and an axe-type weapon, forced entry into an address in Rochdale.

One of the victims suffered life-changing injuries, while the other suffered minor injuries. The events that unfolded caused significant trauma to the entire family.

The court heard that Sonia Ali was present at the scene and acted as a decoy, enabling the attackers to gain entry to the property.

They attacked the first victim who was asleep in his bed, following which there was a struggle on the landing inside the property which injured a second person – a woman - before the perpetrators then fled the scene with assistance.

She later refused to provide access to her mobile device during the investigation despite the court ordering her to do so.

Hasan Alam acted as a driver for the attackers, and acted as a getaway following the crime. Alam was also separately sentenced for drugs offences and driving offences.

Asad Ali, though not physically present at the scene, was found to have orchestrated the attack remotely, coordinating with other offenders and facilitating the use of weapons and transport. His role was deemed central to the planning and execution of the assault.

One of the actual attackers was jailed for the crime in 2021, while one suspect remains outstanding.

The attack was part of an escalating feud between two organised crime groups involved in drug supply operations in the Rochdale area.

The sentencing follows extensive investigations and legal proceedings, including guilty pleas entered in June 2025 after prolonged discussions between the Crown and defence teams.

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds and underwent surgery for tendon and nerve damage. He continues to experience physical and psychological effects from the attack. 

Detective Constable Melanie Jeffery, officer in charge of the case, said: “This was a shocking and deeply unsettling attack, carried out brazenly in broad daylight on a Saturday, just yards from a busy shopping area where families were going about their lives.

"The extreme violence displayed — involving weapons and masked individuals — was utterly reckless and showed a complete disregard for public safety, placing innocent people in real and immediate danger.

"There is no place in our communities for criminality of this scale or nature. Those responsible for orchestrating and carrying out attacks of this nature will be relentlessly pursued, however long it takes.

"To those involved in organised crime who believe they can act without consequence: be in no doubt, we will identify you, we will investigate every avenue, and we will bring you to justice. Our communities deserve to feel safe in their own streets, and we will not stop until those responsible are held fully accountable.”

Detective Inspector Sam Taylor, of GMP’s Rochdale CID, said: “This was a carefully orchestrated and targeted attack, carried out with the clear intent to cause serious harm.

“The individuals involved showed a complete disregard for the safety and wellbeing of others, and the fear their actions have instilled in the community is profound. We will not tolerate this level of criminality and violence on our streets.

“Thanks to a thorough and determined investigation, we were able to bring those responsible before the courts.

"Tackling knife crime remains a top priority for Greater Manchester Police, and today’s sentencing reflects our commitment to ensuring these offences are met with the full force of the law.”