Three men jailed for murder after teenager stabbed to death over cannabis debt

Three men have been convicted of murdering a teenager in Heywood after he was stabbed to death over a cannabis debt.

Callum Riley, 17, was found seriously injured on Atholl Drive on Saturday September 17, 2022 and died a short time later.

A murder investigation was launched and a trail of blood led police to Tony Adams' house on Atholl Drive.

Adams had been seeking to collect a drug debt from Callum for several months.

After a number of threats and damage had been caused to Callum's home and his family, he went to Adams' house with a friend to confront him about the damage he had caused.

Adams, Dale Heywood and Niall Conaghan had armed themselves with weapons, including a baseball bat and a knife, and lay in wait for the two men, launching an attack seconds after they entered his garden.

The two men managed to flee the address and were chased to Atholl Drive.

Callum only traveled a short distance before succumbing to his injuries.

Callum Riley (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

He was found unconscious later that morning in a garden by members of the public.

Adams initially told police he acted in self-defense. However, he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder and grievous bodily harm.

Heywood was reported missing by his father after the incident, but was quickly located in Burnley by police on September 18, 2022 and arrested on suspicion of murder.

Upon his arrest, he said: “I am really, really, really, really sorry. I didn't want this to happen. It was self-defense, it was self-defense.

In addition to these three convictions, a 35-year-old woman was found guilty of complicity with an offender and was given a nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Earlier, at a separate hearing at Manchester Crown Court in April, three other men were convicted for their involvement.

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A 25-year-old man pleaded guilty to affray and was given a community order.

Two men aged 20 and 21 pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon and were both given six months' detention, suspended for 12 months.

Adams, 35, of Minshull New Road, Crewe was found guilty of murder and grievous bodily harm and pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage. He was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 24 years.

Heywood, 26, of Windermere Road, Middleton, was convicted of murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage and was jailed for life, also with a minimum of 24 years.

Conaghan, 18, of Minshull New Road, Crewe, was found guilty of murder, grievous bodily harm and criminal damage and pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and was jailed for life with a minimum of eight years .

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Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Louise Edwards, from Greater Manchester Police's Major Investigation Team, said: “This is the culmination of an extensive investigation into Callum's murder.

“First of all, I would like 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 anticipation of the violence they had planned and hoped would erupt.

“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 terrible circumstances.

“My thoughts are with them, and although the sentences imposed can never undo what has been done, I hope that they will bring them some form of closure.

“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.”

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Detective Sergeant Adam Hitchen 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 and even fatal consequences – for 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 police on 101, or through the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”