Market fracas stab charge

A MAN will appear at Manchester Crown Court charged with stabbing a 29 year old man at Shaw market on Saturday night.

Matthew Paul Gregory (21), of Durden Mews, Shaw, appeared at Oldham Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with wounding with intent and possession of a knife. The case was sent to crown court.

A scuffle broke out between two groups of youths at 10.15pm, which resulted in the victim being treated for stab wounds. Part of the town centre was closed as police investigated.

Liberal Democrat councillor Rod Blyth called for an emergency meeting of the Parish Council to address a rising number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in Shaw.

Councillor Blyth, who lives close to where the incident took place, said residents had raised fears this sort of thing might happen.

He said: “We need to get to grips with this problem. Local residents are very concerned.

“Teenagers are very frightened of going through the market to visit relatives late at night because of these youths.

“People have been saying for some time there will be a serious incident and now this has happened.”