Two men have been sentenced following a robbery in Manchester city centre during the early hours of Tuesday 9 September 2025.

Nathan Mellor (25/04/1995) of Mitchell Gardens, Manchester has been sentenced to 27 months in prison and has an indefinite Criminal Behaviour Order not to enter the city centre.

Remi Oates (29/07/01) of no fixed abode address has been sentenced to 31 weeks.

At around 4:35am, officers were called to Piccadilly Gardens after receiving a report that a group of people had attacked and robbed several victims.

The victims were walking from Market Street towards Piccadilly Gardens when they were approached by a male.

The offender forcibly snatched the victim’s blue iPhone from his hand, stating he would stab him if he was not given any money.

Friends of the victim tried to restrain the suspect in an attempt to prevent him from getting away with the phone.

During this struggle, a group of unidentified males gathered and began assaulting the victims, which then allowed the suspect to leave the area.

A witness reported that the victims had been threatened with knives, prompting an urgent police response.

Following enquiries, officers located a man matching the suspect’s description near Back Piccadilly. The man initially provided false details but was later identified as Nathan Mellor.

Mellor was arrested on suspicion of robbery. A distinctive phone case belonging to the victim was found in his possession during a search.

Further checks confirmed Mellor was in breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order prohibiting him from entering Manchester city centre.

The order was issued by Manchester Crown Court in September 2023 for a period of three years. He was additionally arrested for breaching this order.

Officers continued to track the victim’s stolen phone using FindMyiPhone, which showed it travelling between Swinton and Manchester city centre.

At approximately 6:25am, officers stopped a bus at Piccadilly Gardens which they believed the suspect to be travelling on.

As passengers were getting off the bus, officers detained a man who was identified as Oates.

A search revealed a knife and the victim’s blue iPhone, which was immediately identified by the victim.

Oates was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a bladed article.

Police Constable Royle from our Neighbourhood Crime Team said: “Incidents of this nature are shocking and our thoughts are with the victims involved.

“They bravely assisted officers in identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice.

“Violence and intimidation of this kind have no place in our communities, and we will do everything we can to put those who choose to commit these senseless crimes before the courts.

“If you, or anyone you know, is ever the victim of a crime like this, please be reassured that support is available and that we will relentlessly pursue offenders.”

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