Manchester 250: Friday 9 November

A PENSIONER in Stretford managed to fight off robbers with her walking stick. The woman, in her 70’s, took on three youths who had stolen money from a 12-year-old girl as she walked to school near Stretford Arndale. Police, and the girl’s family, are trying to trace the brave pensioner who hit one of the attackers over the head with her walking stick.

‘MIRACLE BABY’ maker, Gilbert Deya, 55, who attracted large congregations to his church on Warwick Street, Hulme because of claims he could help infertile couples, has been warned he could be extradited. The preacher, who became the subject of a BBC investigation, could be sent back to Kenya on five child kidnap charges.

A CAR CRASH between a car and a police van in Fallowfield is being investigated. A 12-year-old passenger in the car suffered a broken cheekbone after it collided with the police van. Six other passengers in the car and a police officer suffered minor injuries. The incident had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

MANCHESTER UNITED have declined Setanta’s suggestion to play Everton at Old Trafford at 8pm on Christmas Eve. Setanta broke Sky’s monopoly this year on showing Premier League fixtures in the UK and are keen to get the most out of their investment. However, the idea has been slammed by Greater Manchester Police who describe it as a recipe for disaster given the rivalry between the two cities. The match is now scheduled for noon on Sunday 23 December.