A brutal axe attack resulted in the death of 21-year-old Liam Richardson in Rochdale, leading to the life imprisonment of 37-year-old Kieran Oldham. The shocking crime took place in October 2022 and has deeply affected the community.
Kieran Oldham, who resides on Industry Road, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and affray but denied murder, claiming diminished responsibility and offering a manslaughter plea. However, a jury at Minshull Street Crown Court rejected these claims and convicted him of murder. Oldham was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years.
Detective Inspector Rachel Smith from Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team described the attack as “horrific and sustained.” She stated, “Liam had been staying with Oldham, believed to be friends, but evidence suggests he was bullied before being violently killed.”
After the murder, Oldham left Liam’s body at his home. Hours later, he appeared bloodied and barefoot at a friend’s house, where he held a couple hostage for 90 minutes. One victim managed to call 999, but Oldham escaped before police arrived. Armed with an iron bar, he then damaged a parked car on Gale Street and struck a 17-year-old who confronted him. Police quickly arrested Oldham nearby on suspicion of murder.
Detective Inspector Smith commented, “This sentence hopefully brings some comfort to Liam’s family and friends, who faced the pain of this awful crime every day in court. We worked tirelessly to prove Oldham’s guilt and that he intended to kill.”
Liam’s mother, Susan Hartley, spoke emotionally during the trial: “There are no words to describe our grief. On 3rd October, my world collapsed. Watching my children grieve for their brother has truly broken my heart. We will love Liam always and hope to make him proud.”
Police found Liam’s mangled body at the top of the stairs in Oldham’s home, with a bloodied axe lying nearby. A Home Office post-mortem confirmed that Liam died from multiple axe wounds. Oldham initially denied the attack and fabricated a story about a gang assaulting them both, but police investigations exposed his lies.
This tragic case highlights a devastating betrayal of trust that ended a young man’s life and left the Rochdale community in shock.
Originally published by UKNIP.
