The gang pounced at their victim as he walked home, hacking at him with machetes and firing at him with a shotgun – leaving him with injuries so catastrophic that he had to have a leg amputated
Chilling CCTV captured a balaclava-clad gang moments before they unleashed a “brutal and pitiless” attack on a man, hacking at him with machetes and shooting him at close range.
Dressed in black and masked with balaclavas, the group of four calmly rolled out on bikes as they set to unleash horror – with passers-by having no idea of the violence that was about to erupt. Hours later, they pounced at Michael Senghore as he walked home through Gorton, south-east of Manchester – hacking at him with machetes and firing at him with a shotgun. His injuries were so catastrophic that he later had to have a leg amputated.
This week, all four men – Kavon Haselden-Doyle, Zak Morris, Xarvae Forrester and Kellen Mongeme – were jailed for attempted murder. In CCTV footage released by police the gang were seen emerging from a house where they’d been plotting their attack, Manchester Evening News reports. Another graphic clip, played during a trial at Manchester Crown Court, captured the moment the four then pursued Michael Senghore.
Prosecutor Nick Donoghue told the jury the brutal attack happened at around 6pm on October 7, 2024. Senghore had been walking along Hampton Crescent when he spotted the four men on three bikes – with Morris riding pillion to Forrester. Alarmed, he ducked behind a tree and van. Thinking they’d gone, he made a break for home, but Morris spotted him and pointed before the gang gave chase.
“The three defendants, Morris, Mongeme and Haselden-Hoyle approached Mr Senghore. He attempted to climb over a fence to get into his house but was unable to do so,” Mr Donoghue said. Mr Senghore was first set upon by Morris, who hacked at him with a machete as he scrambled over the fence. The victim was then trapped by Mongeme and Haselden-Hoyle, allowing Mongeme to hack at his arm and shoulder.
Haselden-Hoyle then fired at Mr Senghore with a shotgun at close range as he tried to stand up, it was said. Forrester was moving towards him, but the gunshot saw him and the three others fleeing the scene on their bikes. Mr Senghore was able to drag himself into his house, where a family member helped flag down an ambulance. The bullet had gone straight through his leg, causing such damage that his leg had to be amputated. He also suffered severe damage to his right hand.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Senghore said: “These are life changing injuries and I have had to change practically every aspect of my life. I had recently qualified as a plumber, and now I have no job. All that hard work was for nothing.
“I had just started my life, it shouldn’t be filled with uncertainty, it should be filled with endless opportunities. I feel afraid to walk out the door, I am worried about the people causing me further harm. All I can hope now is that I can regain the confidence and zest for life I once had, but it seems a very much unattainable goal.”
Judge Hilary Manley described the attack as “brutal, pitiless and extremely violent,” and said they had shown “considerable and careful planning and preparation”.
Haselden-Hoyle, 27, of Beamish Close, Ardwick, was convicted of attempted murder; possession of an offensive weapon with intent to endanger life; and having a bladed article. He was jailed for 35 years with an extended licence of five years Forrester, 20, of Greengage, Ardwick, was convicted of attempted murder; possession of an offensive weapon with intent to endanger life; and having a bladed article. He was jailed for 26 years.
Mongeme, 18, of Haymarket Street, Ardwick, was convicted of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon with intent to endanger life. He earlier pleaded guilty to having a bladed article. He was sentenced to 21 years detention in a Young Offender Institution. He was also sentenced to two years to run concurrently, for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Morris, 17, of Silverlace Avenue, Openshaw, was convicted of attempted murder; and possessing an offensive weapon with intent to endanger life; and admitted having a bladed article. He was sentenced to 20 years detention in a Young Offender Institution.