Inquest reveals multiple failings by police and probation service prior to Ashley Walsh’s killing

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) visited Gerard McGlacken’s Manchester property after he tried to illegally import a knife - unaware he was on licence from prison and had previous convictions for possession of knives.  

Despite McGlacken then telling an officer about the licence at the visit, the information was then not included in his police report or raised with his superiors. The fact that McGlacken had committed a crime - in breach of his licence - was also then not passed on to the Probation Service, who were supervising him whilst on licence.  

Ashley was attacked and killed by McGlacken and his nephew Aaron Evitt, on 7 January 2022 at McGlacken’s flat in Collyhurst. An inquest into Ashley’s death was held at Manchester Coroner’s Court between 24 and 28 March 2025. 

HM Area Coroner Zak Golombek heard evidence in relation to GMP’s visit to McGlacken’s home, and in relation to the Probation Service’s supervision of McGlacken and of Evitt, who was also on licence from prison at the time of the murder. 

Recording a short form conclusion of unlawful killing, Mr Golombek said there were failures by GMP and the Probation Service. He said GMP had “ample opportunity” to discover McGlacken was on licence, and that there were “serious failings” in the management of both McGlacken and Evitt from the Probation Service. 

Following an argument at McGlacken’s flat, Ashley was hit over the head with a hammer and then sustained multiple further injuries, causing his death. 

The remains of Ashley’s body were found in bushes in Sandhills Park dismembered in four suitcases, more than a week after he was last seen. McGlacken and Evitt were jailed for life in July 2022, with a minimum term of 28 years at Manchester Crown Court. 

The inquest heard how McGlacken and Evitt were both under the supervision of the Greater Manchester region of the Probation Service at the time of Ashley’s death, having both recently been released from prison after being sentenced as co-defendants to an attempted burglary. The inquest heard how both McGlacken and Evitt were intoxicated at the time of that offence, with McGlacken having a known drinking problem. 

Evidence provided by the Probation Service said that, given their offending history, licence conditions should have been included to prevent contact between McGlacken and Evitt and to address their substance misuse whilst on licence. However, no such conditions were put into place. 

At the time of Ashley’s murder,  McGlacken and Evitt were living together and McGlacken was drinking heavily again. Despite Evitt reporting this to his probation officer, no action was taken to reassess their risk or put additional licence conditions into place. 

McGlacken was also known to GMP and his attempt to import an illegal ‘gravity knife’ from China following his release from prison, was investigated in the month prior to Ashley’s death. 

An officer was sent to McGlacken’s property - not to charge him with an offence - but to educate him through a policing process known as ‘restorative justice’ or ‘community resolution’. He had first discussed the visit with a more experienced colleague, but the decision was made with both officers unaware of McGlacken’s previous convictions, or the fact he was on licence. 

Giving evidence at the inquest, the officer said McGlacken told him he was on licence when he visited his home 6 December 2021, but he had no training on licences and did not know what the term meant, and as a result had not included the information in his police report.  

A senior officer told the inquest that as a result he was also unaware of the licence when he closed the crime report. The Probation Service told the coroner this was information that should have been passed to them.  

Ashley’s family feel his death could have been avoided had GMP passed on information about McGlacken’s breach of licence to the probation service on 6 December 2021 and had the probation service taken steps to properly manage the risk of serious harm posed by McGlacken and Evitt following their release from prison. 

Ashley’s family are represented by solicitors Benjamin Burrows and Ellie Sutherland at Leigh Day. Counsel is Alison Seaman from Doughty Street Chambers. 

Ashley’s family said: 

“We are devastated beyond words by the loss of Ashley. He was a loving son, brother, grandson, father, nephew, and friend whose life was brutally taken in an act of violence. 

“We believe the inquest has laid bare failures by Greater Manchester Police and the Probation Service.  We say the men who took Ashley from us should not have been in a position to commit this horrific crime. Both the police and probation had critical information but didn’t act on it and opportunities to protect Ashley were missed.  

“We trusted the system to manage dangerous offenders, and for us that trust has been completely broken. No family should have to go through this pain. We will continue to fight for change so that no other family has to endure the nightmare we have lived through. Ashley’s memory deserves justice, and we will not stop until we have it.  

“We would also like to thank our legal team at Leigh Day, who fought tirelessly to have Ashley’s inquest re-opened after the criminal trial. Without the work of Benjamin Burrows and Ellie Sutherland, the full extent of the failures leading up to Ashley’s death would never have been shared to the public.” 

Benjamin Burrows said: 

“The inquest has highlighted critical mistakes made by the police and probation in managing Ashley’s killers. Greater Manchester Police knew that McGlacken was on licence when, just a month before murdering Ashley, he committed a crime by trying to import an illegal gravity knife, but they failed to disclose this breach of his licence conditions to the Probation Service.   

“It is critical that such information is shared between agencies responsible for keeping the public safe.  The lack of diligence, oversight, and communication in this case is deeply concerning for Ashley’s family and they say raises serious questions about how dangerous offenders are managed in the community.  

“Ashley’s family have shown immense courage and dignity throughout this process, and we will continue to support them as they seek accountability and meaningful change. They hope GMP will take account of the mistakes highlighted during evidence and improve training for officers so that such basic mistakes cannot be repeated.”