The criminal past of Keano Byrne revealed as police continue to probe death

The criminal past of dad Keano Byrne can now be revealed by the Manchester Evening News as police continue to investigate his death last month.

The 26-year-old from Gorton had been reported missing almost two weeks before his body was found in the water at Reddish Vale Country Park on April 7.

Greater Manchester Police initially launched a murder investigation. One suspect, aged 30, has been bailed pending further enquiries to establish his cause of death, which remains unclear.

It can now be revealed that the 26-year-old had a string of previous convictions, including robbery, assault, dangerous driving, possession of drugs and criminal damage. The Manchester Evening News reported how he was jailed by a judge for his crimes in 2019.

One of his victims, a 20-year-old woman, had parked close to Stockport town centre at around 9am on April 29 2019, before walking to the shop where she worked.

It was then that Keano demanded the keys to her Vauxhall Viva, threatening to 'batter' her if she didn't comply. A court was told he had 'targeted' her and that she was left 'petrified' by the ordeal.

He sped off in the car before approaching another member of the public and asking her to 'hide' him in her house.

Byrne was later seen in another area of Stockport and was followed by a police officer. However, during the pursuit, he reversed the car to 'deliberately cause damage' to the vehicle and then broke sharply, causing the police car to go into the back of the stolen Viva.

During the collision, the police officer sustained injuries to his arm, knee and back, and £15,000 worth of damage was caused to his car. As the chase progressed, Byrne threw out quantities of heroin, cocaine and cannabis, which were later recovered by police.