Gavin Hopley

Gavin Hopley was a 19-year-old security guard from Heywood whose life was tragically cut short in February 2002. After becoming separated from his friends during a night out in Oldham, he was attacked in the Glodwick area while trying to make his way home.

He suffered catastrophic head injuries during the assault and never regained consciousness, dying in hospital six days later.

His death devastated his family and friends, who remember him as a much-loved young man with his whole future ahead of him. The incident led to a major police investigation and multiple arrests in connection with the attack and its aftermath.

Two men, Abdul Hafiz and Suleiman Hussain Mohammed, both from Glodwick, later went on trial accused of being part of the group that chased Gavin and two other youths during the incident. A third man, Zallal Uddin, also from Glodwick, appeared at Manchester Crown Court charged with stealing a watch and necklace from Gavin while he lay unconscious in the street.

Several men were ultimately convicted of violent disorder and robbery linked to the attack. However, no one has ever been convicted of Gavin’s murder and the precise circumstances of the fatal injury were not established in court.

Rest in peace Gavin. You will not be forgotten.