Manchester boys who killed 14-year-old army cadet jailed for life

Two teenagers who went to a fight armed with a knife and a screwdriver have been jailed for life for killing a 14-year-old army cadet.

Nathaniel Shani, who was unarmed, was fatally stabbed on 15 September 2023 in Tavistock Square, Harpurhey, Manchester.

Two boys, aged 14 and 15, were convicted of murder in April at Manchester Crown Court and must serve a minimum of 10 years.

The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were both sent to a young offenders’ institute.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the 15-year-old admitted stabbing Nathaniel in the neck but claimed in court he was acting in self-defence.

The force added that the 14-year-old boy “encouraged” the other boy to fatally injure Nathaniel.

The teenager was found seriously injured at around 18:00 BST and “despite the best efforts” of the public, police and paramedics died in hospital.

A police investigation of hundreds of hours of CCTV and phone data revealed incriminating conversations on social media and a full timeline of events leading up to the murder, GMP said.

The department’s Chief Inspector Gina Brennand said the boy’s family “will never get over this tragic loss of life”.

She added: “On the night of the murder, Nathaniel was ironing his cadet uniform and polishing his boots, something he was extremely proud of, before he left the house and never returned.”