Teenagers guilty of Manchester murder

Two teenage boys have today been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old Nathaniel Shani in Manchester in September last year.

On Friday 15 September 2023, the boys, then aged 14 and 13 years, met Nathaniel in an alleyway off Tavistock Square, Manchester, for a prearranged fight.

They were armed with a knife and a screwdriver. Nathaniel was unarmed.

During the fight, that lasted just seconds, Nathaniel was stabbed in the neck. He collapsed and died as a result of that injury moments later. The entire incident was captured on CCTV.

Following the trial that began last month, the jury at Manchester Crown Court found both teenagers guilty of murder on 17 April 2024.

The pair will be sentenced at a later date.

Martin Hill, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS Complex Casework Unit, said: “This is a tragic case whereby another young person has needlessly lost their life as a result of knife crime.

“It was the prosecution case that both boys were acting together. Though just one of the boys inflicted the fatal knife wound, the other had by his actions encouraged him to deliberately inflict serious harm.

“Today, after considering all the evidence presented to them, including CCTV of the fight, the jury have found them both guilty of his murder.

“The CPS is committed to working with the police to tackle knife crime.

“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Nathaniel Shani and all those who have been affected by his untimely death.”