A boy's young life cut cruelly short and a neighbourhood united in grief

Teenagers stood around Tavistock Square as the police carried out their work. Friends watched on from the other side of the cordon while detectives and forensics scoured the scene.

Neighbours surrounding the square spoke of their horror at the tragedy that was unfolding. At one stage, a family arrived at the scene in tears, howled in pain and embraced before leaving again.

The stabbing of 14-year-old Nathaniel Shani rocked Harpurhey on a Friday evening last September 15. Word was already spreading about the horrors of what happened - and the fatal consequences.

READ MORE: Heartbreak as couple's beloved terrier dies after being mauled by 'XL bully-type' dog

Those who knew each other embraced as they discussed the horrific events. Police had already faced 'chaos' as they were surrounded by crying children while emergency services tried to save the schoolboy.

By the following morning, the square began to turn into a sea of tributes, as flowers were left for Nathaniel. His fellow students at Manchester Communication Academy turned out with their loved ones, and alongside school staff, to pay their respects.

Harpurhey was heartbroken. A mum, whose daughter knew Nathaniel at school, told the Manchester Evening News on that Saturday: "He was always laughing and smiling. It’s just heartbreaking. I just can’t believe it. It’s so sad. I feel really heartbroken for his mum. He was a good kid.”

A shop worker who saw Nathaniel ‘every day’ added: "He was a quiet lad, a quiet, cheerful kid... he was a good kid, a very good kid." Nathaniel had got his uniform ready to go to Air Cadets on the Friday evening - but he never made it to 317 Failsworth Squadron that night.

Instead, he went to an alleyway off Tavistock Square for a 'fight