A man has been charged with murder after the death of a 57-year-old man who is believed to have been killed while attempting to prevent the theft of his vehicle.

According to a statement from the Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Christopher Hanley was discovered “unresponsive” by officers at Olympic Street in Beswick, Manchester, around 11 AM on Saturday, March 16. Despite the efforts of paramedics and “selfless members of the public,” the 57-year-old passed away at the scene. 

Hanley lost his life after allegedly holding onto the bonnet of his black Land Rover in a desperate bid to thwart its theft before he was thrown to the ground. 

Following an investigation, Marvin Sutton, aged 35 and with no fixed address, was apprehended and charged with murder. He appeared at Manchester Crown Court via video link on Tuesday, March 19, where he spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing and made no plea. 

Judge Nicholas Dean KC remanded Sutton in custody and scheduled a trial date for September 9, with a further pre-trial hearing set for May 24.

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man who was also detained by the police is currently on bail under suspicion of aiding the offender.

According to residents of Olympic Street, they were first alerted by the sound of a car revving its engine before the arrival of emergency services. One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, mentioned that among the first responders was “an off-duty nurse.”

“She was the first person there and may have called the police,” the resident said, as quoted by the BBC.

Another resident, who declined to provide further details, expressed the experience as “horrible” and was “still shocked” by the incident.

Following the accident, Hanley’s family issued a statement through the police.

“As a family we are heartbroken and shocked at the sudden loss of Chris, a loved and devoted family man who adored his grandchildren, tragically and unfairly, taken way too soon,” the statement read. 

“At this time, we as a family ask for privacy to show respect for Chris and his memory.”

Residents left bunches of flowers at the roadside on Holly Street, near the intersection with Olympic Street, where a damaged street sign stands. Locals clarified that the damage was unrelated to Saturday’s incident. 

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith from the GMP Major Incident Team said that on top of the two arrests made in connection with the victim’s death, there are ongoing efforts to ensure the apprehension of all those responsible. She urged anyone with information to come forward and help bring justice for Chris and his family.

She also said that “additional officers” would remain in the area “to offer reassurance to the local community”.

Vehicle theft remains an issue

Vehicle theft remains a concern in the Greater Manchester area, with GMP recording 7,183 incidents in the 12 months leading up to March 2023. This figure marked a 2.9 percent rise compared to the previous year.

At the same time, GMP revealed to the Manchester Evening News that prosecutions for vehicle crime rose 56 percent to 379 in the year to April 2023, suggesting improved efforts against car theft gangs.

While there’s positive news, residents shouldn’t be complacent. Staying alert and routinely checking their car’s security are crucial deterrents. Using tools like wheel brake locks, GPS tracking, and Faraday bags to keep a keyless car’s fob in is recommended.

For an added layer of protection, consider using the services of security firms like Marengo. Their professional monitoring goes beyond just vehicles. They can install security systems in the garage to detect unauthorised entry and alert homeowners or the authorities immediately. In the case of stolen vehicles, they can perform real-time GPS tracking.