Pensioner sentenced for Gay Village stabbing

David Broady of Victoria Court, Manchester, was jailed for seven years at Manchester Crown Square Court today, after being convicted last month of the manslaughter of 25-year-old Craig Douglas in Manchester's Gay Village.

On Monday February 25th at 7.30pm, police were informed that a man had been stabbed in the neck on Canal Street close to its junction with Minshull Street and Aytoun Street. Officers and ambulance crews attended and found Mr Douglas lying on the floor with a single stab wound to his neck.

He was taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary but died soon after his arrival. A post-mortem examination later revealed he died of a single stab wound to the neck from a weapon about 6cm to 8cm in length.

A witness told officers, that he and Broady were talking on Canal Street when Douglas and another man approached them. Douglas asked Broady and his friend for a cigarette and when they refused and walked off, Douglas followed them and a heated confrontation between Douglas and Broady broke out. Broady then lashed out as if trying to punch Douglas who was then heard shouting: 'What have you done to my neck?' As Mr Douglas lay dying he pleaded with his friend to call for an ambulance.

Shortly before 1.30pm on Sunday 2 March, Broady called police and arrangements were made to arrest him. During his interview, Broady gave a prepared statement claiming he acted in self-defence. He was taken back to the scene where he claimed he disposed of the weapon but it has never been found.

Vinny Chadwick, Senior Investigating Officer in this case, said: "This was a tragic case which started out as an argument and ended with the death of a young man."

Chief Inspector Bob Lomas, from GMP's North Manchester division, said: "What I want to stress about this case is that although the attack took place in the Gay Village, sexuality was not an issue and this was not a homophobic attack. The Gay Village is a very safe place to work and visit and we have an excellent relationship with the community and the businesses. This sort of tragic incident could have happened anywhere."