'It should fall on the parents': Mum of man stabbed to death wants parents punished if their child carries out knife attack

The mum of a 20-year-old fatally stabbed in Tameside believes that if a child commits knife crime, their parents should be held accountable.

Nicola Wardle's son Dylan Keelan died in Cheetham Hill Road, Dukinfield, on the evening of February 4.

He is one of four young men in Greater Manchester to die as a result of knife crime in 2022 - his death followed 16-year-old Kennie Carter in Stretford on January 22 and 17-year-old Alan Szelugowski in Salford on January 30.

READ MORE: Mum of stabbing victim Dylan Keelan, 20, 'found out about his death on Facebook'

Last Friday (March 11), 18-year-old Abdikarm Abdalla Ahmed was also fatally stabbed in Bury.

Speaking at a press conference at GMP Force Headquarters on Tuesday morning (March 15), Nicola said: "My son, Dylan, was a lovely, kind and respectful boy who always had a cheeky smile on his face. He loved his family and his close friends and we all loved him.

"Dylan and his mates wanted to go on a lads holiday to celebrate their 21sts. I was looking forward to watching him grow up - get married and have kids.

"I am broken and distraught. But Dylan always put me first so I'm putting him first. In his words - 'Always find a way to turn a negative into a positive'.

"If this saves one life, he would want it. So, today, I am appealing to mums, dads, aunties, uncles, grandparents, teachers - anyone who cares about a kid or the safety of the streets which they walk.

"Since Dylan died, I've received so much support but, this afternoon, I ask you to help me ensure my son's death is not in vain. If you know or suspect your kid or any kid you care about is carrying a weapon, please do something before it's too late.

"Have a conversation with them; help them surrender it; or report