Four charged over shop robbery bid

FOUR men have been charged following an attempted robbery at a Failsworth supermarket.

The charges relate to an incident at Morrisons in Poplar Street on Monday, June 29, in which three men, armed with a sledgehammer, claw hammer and a sword, tried to break down the door to the cash office.

Kevin Taaffe (22), of Shakleton Avenue, Blackley, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and appeared at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Callum McManus (21), of Sandybrook Drive, Blackley, and Nicholas Fox (20), of Charlestown Road, Blackley, were also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and appeared at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, July 11.

Lee Whitely (19), of Moston Lane East, Moston, was also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery as a result of the same operation by police and appeared at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on July 15.

All four were remanded into custody and are due to appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 28.