City news 250 words: Tuesday 14 June 2011

A MAN was shot dead in South Manchester last night. Police were called to Floatshall Road in Baguley after reports of the shooting. They discovered the victim had been shot in the seat of a parked car. The 44 year-old was taken to hospital but died shortly after. An investigation is underway and anyone with any information should call Greater Manchester Police.

A JUROR who apparently contacted a defendant in a drugs trial on Facebook faces contempt of court action – the first case in the UK. The juror, who found Jamie Sewart on the social networking site, subsequently led the judge to discharge the jury. The pair now face a jail sentence of up to two years if found guilty. Meanwhile, 100,000 people in the UK closed their Facebook accounts last year over privacy fears.

A FIGHT took place in Spinningfields yesterday after a court hearing involving Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty. Doherty almost has his ear bitten off in an incident on Friday evening. The brawl on Quay Street took place when the two brothers accused of the initial attack appeared. A press photographer was arrested for taking pictures of the incident.

SEVERAL MEN have been arrested in connection to grooming dozens of girls for sex. Police arrested the men for targeting young girls and fuelling them with drink and drugs before taking them to ‘sex parties’. Detectives have spoken to around 39 victims already, and police officers are continuing house raids in search of more suspects.

Fact of the day: This week in 1919, Alcock & Brown completed the first non-stop transatlantic flight. Pilot John Alcock was born Seymour Grove, Old Trafford.

You can be amazed by other facts like this at @revealmcr