Man faces jail after admitting killing grandfather in east Manchester

A man faces jail after he admitted killing a grandfather in east Manchester. Marvin Sutton, 35, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Christopher Hanley in Beswick on March 16 of this year. He was previously accused of murder, but denied the charge.

At Minshull Street Crown Court today (Tuesday), prosecutors confirmed they had accepted Sutton's guilty plea to the lesser offence of manslaughter. Sutton, of no fixed abode, has also admitted a charge of theft. He will now be sentenced by a judge at the same court on January 10 of next year.

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A co-defendant, Charlene Thomas, 37, of Regent Court in Gorton, will be sentenced along Sutton. She has admitted a single charge of theft.

Neither Sutton or Thomas attended a brief hearing on Wednesday (November 6), although legal representatives appeared in court via a video link on their behalf.

Mr Hanley, known as 'Chris', was 57 at the time of his death. Greater Manchester Police has previously said officers responded to reports of an unresponsive male on Olympic Street, Beswick, on the morning of March 16.

Mr Hanley’s family paid tribute to him following his death. They said: "As a family we are heartbroken and shocked at the sudden loss of Chris. A loved and devoted family man who adored his grandchildren... At this time, we as a family ask for privacy to show respect for Chris and his memory."