GMP issues statement after police 'failings' in lead-up to Ryan Lowry killing

Greater Manchester Police 'respects' a ruling made by jurors which stated that failings in the force 'probably contributed' to Ryan Lowry's death.

A spokesperson for the force issued a statement this morning after the inquest into the 36-year-old's death concluded on Tuesday. Members of the jury ruled that Mr Lowry, from Marple, was 'unlawfully killed' by his cousin Ashley Glennon, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

The tree surgeon, also known as Ashley Rowan, chased the 36-year-old down the street and struck him 13 times with an axe on Moss Lane in Partington, in Trafford, in February 2020. Mr Glennon pleaded guilty to manslaughter on account of diminished responsibility at Minshull Street Crown court and was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in January 2021.

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Following a two-week inquest at South Manchester Coroners Court, jurors found that a number of failings by police in the lead-up to the killing 'probably contributed' to Mr Lowry's death. In response, the force issued a statement today which read: "Our thoughts and condolences are with Ryan’s family at this difficult time.

"We respect the findings of the Jury and acknowledge the comments made concerning the handling of the 101 call made in this case, and Greater Manchester Police’s Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU). We recognise the importance of effective call handling and multi-agency information sharing and are committed to making further improvements in these areas to better serve and protect the public."

The inquest heard Mr Glennon had been sectioned twice before including in 2019 when he attacked his elderly grandfather and left him with a bleed