[T]he mother of Paul Croft has spoken of her heartache after her son’s killers were jailed 12 years on from his murder.
James Paul Wilde (10/04/1988) of Rake Lane, Swinton, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 16 years for murder.
Paul O’Neill (10/04/1981) of Broomhall Road, Pendlebury, was sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter at Manchester Crown Court today Tuesday 16 May 2017.
The court heard that Paul and his friend James Falconer were viciously assaulted by a gang armed with weapons while walking in Clifton in March 2005.
Paul, who was originally from Eccles, had spent the day with his mum Susan Croft, her partner and one of Paul’s friends in the Newmarket pub in Swinton until around 7.30pm.
At 8.10pm police received calls from two different women saying a man was being attacked near to the Lord Nelson pub.
When officers arrived shortly after they found Paul on the ground with severe head injuries but there was no one else in the area.
The path where Paul was found, known locally as the Sandy Path, leads from Nelson Fold onto an area of grassland and a baseball bat was recovered at the scene.
Paul spent a week in hospital before he died, leaving behind his girlfriend who was pregnant with twins who are now growing up without him.
The mystery was finally solved after a witness came forward with vital information that helped secure the convictions.
Speaking after the sentencing, Susan said: “Paul was much loved by all his family and friends and was a loving son with much life ahead of him.
“Paul was taken from us in March 2005 in completely unnecessary circumstances. We cannot express how devastated we have been over the last 12 years that his life has been stolen from him.
“We miss Paul every minute of every day and for it to take so long to get Justice for Paul has made this all the harder.
“He has twin boys that he never met. They are growing up without a chance of ever meeting their dad.
“The torment we have felt over the years to know that his killers have been free has made this all the harder to bear. Today his killers have been sentenced, and justice has been served.
“We can try to repair our heartache although no matter how long the sentence is, it will not bring Paul back or make our loss any easier.
“We need to attempt to move on and hopefully today will now provide closure for our pain over the last 12 years, however, we will never forget Paul or the many memories he has given us.
“On behalf of the family, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Greater Manchester Police, who never gave up, for their continued support and professionalism in this matter.”
Senior Investigating Officer Bob Tonge said: “Today brings to a close a lengthy investigation stretching over a decade.
“This was a horrendous attack on a man who had simply enjoyed a night out with friends and now his children are left to grow up without their father because of their callous actions.
“I want to pay tribute to the people that have provided vital evidence to the trial as well as the tireless work of all the officers that have helped to secure these convictions.
“I hope this case shows that it doesn’t matter how long ago a crime was committed, we will never give up and we will be relentless in our hunt for justice.
“While today’s sentence will never bring Paul back, I hope that his family can finally begin to move forward with their lives after 12 traumatic years.”
