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Teenager charged with murder

by Dan Thompson
20/ 8/2008

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy from Middleton has appeared in court charged with the murder of student Conor Black.

Conor, also 16, was stabbed in the shoulder after leaving a house party in Harpurhey in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The former North Manchester School for Boys pupil was found bleeding by passers-by on a grass verge by the side of the road. He died on his way to hospital.

The teenager charged with his murder, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Manchester City Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he was remanded in custody awaiting a hearing for committal to crown court, next week. The youth’s solicitor, Simon Harrison, said his client ‘denies the extremely grave crime’.

Conor, a joinery student at MANCAT and a talented rapper, had attended a party with friends on Friday night and it is understood he became involved in a petty argument.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "Conor was killed on Moston Lane by a single stab wound to his upper left shoulder. Paramedics tried to treat Conor for a puncture wound, but he died on the way to hospital."

Floral tributes and cards in memory of Conor, who lived in Moston, have been left by a tree near where he died. It is reported that he was known to the police but only in relation to minor matters.

Officers do not believe his death was gang related.

The murder has sent shockwaves through north Manchester. Community leaders have pledged to work together against knife crime after the teenager was stabbed to death.

Stephen Holt, chairman of the Trinity and District residents’ association, said violence would not be accepted by the community. He added: "Everyone is appalled at what’s happened and feels the deepest sympathy for Conor’s family."