Top stories you may have missed today, Tuesday, May 26

Need to know

If you’ve been out enjoying the glorious sunshine, you may feel a little out of the loop this evening. Here are today’s top stories brought to you by the Manchester Evening News.

• A woman at the centre of a murder investigation has been identified, with her family paying tribute. Keeley Aspinall, known to friends as Kiki, was found dead at a flat on the Freehold estate in Rochdale on Monday afternoon (May 25). A man has since been arrested amid the ongoing murder probe. Officers were called out to a concern for a welfare at the property off Tweedale Street, at around 4pm. Sadly, Keeley was pronounced dead at the scene. The 44-year-old has since been identified and named by her family, who are being supported by specialist officers at GMP. In a tribute, her family said: “Gone too soon.. we can’t believe you are gone. We will always love you and miss you, love all your family xx.” READ HERE.
• The full list of candidates in the running in the Makerfield by-election has now been confirmed. Voters in Makerfield will go to the polls on Thursday, June 18 after the previous incumbent, Labour’s Josh Simons, stood down. Mr Simons said he was standing aside so that so that the Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham ‘can return to his home, fight to re-enter Parliament, and if elected, drive the change our country is crying out for.’ It has now been confirmed that 14 candidates from 11 different parties and three independents will contest the by-election. READ HERE.
• And on the Makerfield drama, Reform UK’s candidate Robert Kenyon has been hit by fresh accusations over social media posts branded ‘vile’. One post from an X account linked to Robert Kenyon called for the businessman Richard Branson to be ‘hanged’ while another branded climate change a ‘middle class problem’. The plumber and newly elected Wigan councillor has come under fire in recent days for historical posts shared before he entered politics. READ HERE.
• Another arrest has been made after armed police shot a suspect during an incident in Whitefield last week. A man currently remains in hospital after being shot when the car was driven ‘directly’ at officers. Police had attempted to stop the vehicle before the incident unfolded close to the busy junction for the M60. The 20-year-old suspect, a white British man, was later arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. He currently remains in hospital after suffering a suspected broken elbow. Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed the force’s Serious Crime Division have arrested another man, aged 40, in Radcliffe on Tuesday morning (May 26), on suspicion of being concerned in supply of Class A and B, and possession of a firearm and ammunition. READ HERE.
• Tributes have been paid to a Stockport County FC fanatic who was sadly found dead by his family. Mark Crawford’s body was found at his home in Stockport on Thursday (May 7). According to his daughter, Danika Wakefield, Mark was last seen alive and well on Monday (May 11) by one of her brothers, who had been out drinking with their dad on May 3. After days of silence from the 62-year-old grandad, Danika decided to visit him for a welfare check. Sensing that ‘something doesn’t feel right’ Danika brought along one of her brothers. READ HERE.
• A burglary gang who targeted their victims including following one woman for months by placing a tracker on her car have been jailed. The trio stole an estimated £1m of goods, but saw their operation brought down after they targeted the woman in a John Lewis car park. Junior Owen, 32, James Melia, 34 and Anthony Watson , 39, have now been sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court. READ HERE.
• The Manchester Evening News published our investigation, taking a forensic look inside politics in Oldham. LDR Charlotte Hall spent a year on the spectacular piece, in which she spoke to dozens of people about the grooming gang conspiracies, community fractures and online agitators that have plagued the town for years now. READ HERE.
• There was pandemonium in the Gay Village on Monday night, after music star PinkPantheress, who won a 2026 Brit Award made a surprise appearance at VIA. The 25-year-old, who is behind hits like Illegal, Stateside, and Girl Like You, had finished her first of two nights at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse when she showed up for a surprise appearance during an unofficial after party show – and even took to the stage. READ HERE.

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