The murderers who “stole a teenager of his life and his future”

These are the killers who robbed a teenager of “his life and his future” following a dispute over a cannabis debt. Callum Riley was just 17 years old when he was murdered.

Callum, from Heywood, was lured to the family home of a drug dealer who had become embroiled in a tit-for-tat feud with a drug debt of more than £180. Hours earlier, Tony Adams had smashed the windows of Callum's house, where he lived with his mother and siblings.

Fueled by anger, Callum and a friend both went to Adams' home armed with glass bottles and began throwing them at his property, in the early hours of September 17, 2022. A fight ensued, at during which Callum and his friend were both stabbed.

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Callum managed to walk away from the scene, but collapsed and died shortly afterwards. His friend survived. Dale Heywood, the man who prosecutors say stabbed Callum, as well as Adams, and his son Niall Conaghan, who were both armed, were all convicted of murder.

Adams, 34, and Heywood, 26, were yesterday sentenced to life in prison following a hearing at Manchester Crown Court, with both ordered to serve at least 24 years in prison. Conaghan, 18, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of eight years.

Judge Patrick Field KC said: “This case represents a tragedy as another young person has suffered a violent and untimely death as a result of a knife wound. He [Callum Riley] received a fatal stab wound to the left leg and died alone in the garden of a house.

“He was only 17 and a kid. Tony Adams, it was your idea to teach Callum a lesson and put him in his place.”

After the hearing, in comments published today, Detective Inspector Louise Edwards, of GMP's major investigations team, said: “Today is the culmination of a thorough investigation into the murder by Callum. First of all, I want to clarify that this is not a case of self-defense.

“Tony Adams set off a chain of violent events in which he planned and hosted a confrontation with a teenager. Adams, Dale Heywood and Niall Conaghan were armed with weapons, including a knife and a baseball bat, in the waiting for the violence they had planned and hoping it would begin.

“They created a situation where Callum would come to Atholl Drive, arm himself and open the door rather than call the police. These violent actions have devastated many lives.

“Callum's family and friends have had to deal with the loss of a loved one in such terrible circumstances. My thoughts are with them today and while the sentences imposed can never undo what has been done, I I hope they will bring them some form of relief.

“I would like to thank the investigative team for their hard work during this complex investigation as well as the prosecution team for building the strongest possible case.”

Detective Sergeant Adam Hitchen, of GMP, added: “Tony Adams, Dale Heywood and Niall Conaghan robbed a teenager of his life and future when they committed this senseless and violent crime over a £180 cannabis debt . Callum did not deserve to die and there is no justification for his actions.

“I would like to thank Callum’s family for their courage and dignity throughout this investigation. I would also like to pay tribute to the witnesses who assisted Greater Manchester Police with our investigation.

“This case is another example of the tragic consequences of knife crime and I would like to use this case to launch an appeal against the carrying of knives. If the weapons had not been used that night, we might not be here today.

“Knives can have terrible, even fatal consequences – for both victims and attackers – and I urge you to think very carefully about the risks and not carry knives. If you have any information about knife crime, please contact the police on 101 or via the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”