The criminals jailed in Greater Manchester in the weeks before Christmas

direct to your inbox A new year has begun and despite it being a quiet start for some, the region's courts were still very much still busy handing out prison sentences. People have been locked up for all manner of criminal offences and with M.E.N.

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police officer who repeatedly sexually assaulted a young girl has been jailed.Farooq Ahmed, 37, walked into a police station with a confession note before Christmas.

Salford flat on September 14. The 23-year-old said he was unhappy in his retail job in the weeks leading up to his death. His mother urged him to go home to Plymouth so she could help 'bring him out of the darkness he was suffering'. Tragically, he was found hanged just weeks later.  An inquest into Mr Kelly's death was held at  Bolton Coroners' Court  by area coroner Alan Walsh today (January 5).

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

Do you know a great vegan restaurant we've missed? Let us know in the comments below. This is a newcomer for the city and is due to open for takeaway at least in early January.Four Side comes from local chef Dan Hope, who was also the man behind Firebird Hope and Krum doughnuts.He's now taking over the old Earth Cafe site (the cafe sadly closed down this year) with his fully-vegan, Detroit-style square pizzas, with around nine flavours on sale at any one time.The alcohol-free restaurant will

direct to your inboxIt has been a year like no other.However Great Mancunians have still made headlines across the world, for all sorts of reasons.Here we look at those who have put the region on the map in 2020, a year we will never forget.2020 has undoubtedly belonged to Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.However it is his incredible work off the pitch which has made the headlines, even more than his impressive goal-scoring feats on it.The Withington-born and Wythenshawe raised

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police chief has urged people to stay at home in Tier 4 tomorrow night instead of celebrating New Year's Eve as they normally would. Under Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, people are required by law to remain at home unless they need to leave their home for essential reasons.

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direct to your inboxLike this entire year, Christmas Day in 2020 is anything but normal.It's a restricted, and for some quite sad time.But Greater Mancunians did have something to smile about today...

straight to your inbox every day for freeThere's no rest for Manchester United, who were last to play on Wednesday night and are first to kick off on Boxing Day. That gives Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad little time to prepare for a tough test at Leicester tomorrow, let alone fit in a proper Christmas Day with the family.

we decided to share her story to highlight the struggle many families have faced this year.The mum, from Bolton, agreed to go by the name of Tina, as she didn't want those closest to her to know how badly she was coping.Her story resonated with so many of our readers, and we were overwhelmed by the number of people who got in touch offering to help Tina. A gofundme page was set up with the aim of raising £500 to help Tina and her husband buy Christmas presents for their children this year.

hereWhile Tania will be mostly answering emails from often desperate members of the public who need help over Christmas, Andy Smith will be answering the phone.“For me being here is in part about giving, to give back to people,” the volunteer told the M.E.N.“People need somebody to talk to, and I’m happy to listen and try and give them a sense of warmth for that short period of time we’re on the call with them.”“While most of the country enjoys the festivities of Christmas Day, it’s important

direct to your inboxTwo men from Greater Manchester who won £20,000 on the hit BBC show Race Across the World have donated their prize money to charity.Emon Choudhury, 36, from Stockport, beat four other teams to win the race alongside his nephew Jamiul Choudhury, 25, from Oldham.The pair beat the odds to complete an epic 54-day journey from Mexico City to the south of Argentina for the second series of the BBC2 show.On their travels, the men were visibly moved by the number of homeless children

direct to your inboxThe deputy mayor has expressed fears there could be a rise in illegal raves and house parties in Greater Manchester over the Christmas period.Beverley Hughes told a press conference led by Andy Burnham on Tuesday that there is intelligence to suggest the region 'could see a return' of the raves and parties seen over the summer.

direct to your inboxAn elderly couple were conned out of thousands of pounds at Christmas by evil fraudsters who claimed to be Greater Manchester Police officers.Police chiefs have issued a festive fraud warning as a result.Detectives are investigating after the couple handed over bundles of £50 notes.The victims - who haven't been identified - visited their banks and building societies to withdraw cash.Police haven't revealed the exact sum involved, but said it was 'thousands of pounds'.The

three bags of food containing staple fruit, vegetables and ingredients that can be used to make hearty and healthy meals. Just like every other charity and organisation, the pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on how The Bread and Butter Thing’s services are run.When lockdown measures first came into place in March this year, the charity was faced with a surge in demand.

direct to your inboxDreaming of a white Christmas?Sadly, forecasters have predicted there will be no snow on Christmas Day this year.But the Met Office has said Greater Manchester is likely to see widespread frosty conditions that will bring a 'seasonal feel' to festivities on the day.Temperatures across most of the country will stay in mid-single figures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but no snow is expected to settle, Met Office forecasters have predicted.They said that despite a wet

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester residents can still enjoy Christmas with friends and family - but plans will need to be drastically scaled back.In London and the South East ‘Christmas bubbles’ have been cancelled.Things look a little brighter up here - but Greater Manchester residents have been issued with a stark warning that celebrations must only take place on Christmas Day.Residents across the country are also being warned to “stay local” and avoid travelling outside their areas and