Four jailed in murder case

FOUR men, including one from Chadderton, have been jailed for their part in the murder of Karl Hodson in Newton Heath.

Karl Souter (28), of Argyll Road, Chadderton, was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence for public protection and must serve a minimum of four years, six months, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

Jamie Smith (27), of Petrock Walk, Newton Heath, admitted murder at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, yesterday and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 23 years and six months.

Thomas Fitzgerald (28) of Halliday Road, Newton Heath, must serve a minimum of nine years and four months. and Lucas Lavelle (23), of Surbiton Road, Newton Heath, was sentenced to four years and four months.

The court heard a disagreement arose between Mr Hodson and Fitzgerald, who recruited Smith, Souter and Lavelle to visit and beat Mr Hodson.

The four men went to his home on Harold Priestnall Close at about 6.30pm on Tuesday, March 23.

Souter dragged Mr Hodson out on to the street while he was on the phone to his girlfriend and Fitzgerald attacked him with a hammer.

He died in hospital shortly after from multiple stab wounds, inflicted by Smith.

Detective Sergeant John Mulvihill, from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team, said: “This was a pre-planned attack by men armed with weapons.

“Mr Hodson’s mother had to deal with seeing her beloved son taking his last breaths as he lay dying in her hallway. That gruesome memory will haunt Mrs Hodson for life.

“I understand that today’s sentence will never bring Mr Hodson back but hope that his family can take some comfort from seeing these men locked behind bars for some considerable time.”