Two teenagers convicted in connection with the murder of Reece Tansey

Following a harrowing five week-long trial at Manchester Crown Court, the jury gave their verdict, finding one 15-year-old guilty of murder, and the other 15-year-old guilty of manslaughter. The teenagers currently cannot be named for legal reasons.

The court heard how in the early hours of Tuesday 4 May 2021, Reece left his home in Bolton after a fight was arranged over Snapchat messages between the two defendants and Reece.

After meeting up with the defendants on Walker Avenue, Bolton, an altercation took place which resulted in Reece being stabbed with a kitchen knife six times by one of the defendants while the other one watched.

Following the attack, the defendants ran off from the scene and Reece was left severely injured in the street, where he was later helped by local residents. Despite the very best efforts of emergency services Reece tragically died at the scene.

Reece's parents prepared the following words about their son:

"Reece was our 15 year old son, he made us smile, he made us laugh, he made us tear our hair out at times, a typical teenage lad, but he was ours.

"Reece was fiercely protective of his mum and his little brother, and saw himself as the man of the house. His dad saw him as his best friend. Reece was simply our world, and his death has devastated us beyond belief.

"When Reece was born, never did we imagine that in 15 short wonderful years later, his life would be taken in an act of violence that is beyond comprehension. Instead of planning his 16th birthday, preparing and guiding Reece into adulthood, we found ourselves preparing for Reece's funeral and having to explain to his little brother why Reece would never be coming home.

"Reece had his whole life ahead of him, he had so much to look forward to, so many memories to make. On that day, not only was Reece's life taken, but so was ours, the news that Reece had been killed simply drained the life from us and we will never be the same again. We will never come to terms with the senselessness of it all. The pain is almost physical.

"Nothing will ever bring Reece back to us, but we ask that his death not be in vain. Let Reece's death and the circumstances surrounding it, be used to educate young people about the consequences of carrying knives.

"We would like to thank the two men who came upon Reece that morning, and came to his assistance, for the reassurance they gave him when he was at the end of his life. For that we are thankful."

Detective Inspector Nicola McCulloch, of GMPs Major Incident Team, who led the investigation said: "This was a truly horrific attack by two teenage boys whose heinous actions mean that Reece's families lives will now never be the same and my thoughts are very much with them today.

"Our team of detectives worked around the clock following Reece's death to bring these boys to justice and I hope today's verdicts bring Reece's family some relief.

"This incident should be a stark reminder to all those who carry knives that your actions can destroy lives and GMP will not tolerate knife crime. If you use a knife as a weapon you will face the consequences."

The two boys are expected to next appear at Manchester Crown Court on Monday 20 December for sentencing.