Teenagers guilty of murdering Eccles man who was abused by drugs gangs

They murdered 48 year old Leigh Smith at his home in Eccles in June 2021

Leigh's mother Jackie, said: "Although it will not bring Leigh back and he is greatly missed, we as a family are pleased that we have now got justice for Leigh."
Author: Owen ArandsPublished 21st Jan 2022
Last updated 21st Jan 2022

Two teenagers accused of the murder of 48-year-old Leigh Smith, in June 2021, have been found guilty.

18 year old Jacob Cookson of Langworthy Road, Salford, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty before the month-long trial at Minshull Street Crown Court which ended yesterday.

Another 17-year-old boy was found not guilty.

The court heard how Leigh who was deemed vulnerable, had moved into a new assisted living flat in Eccles when he became a victim of exploitation by an organised crime group.

On the evening of 21 June 2021, the two teenagers entered Leigh's flat before stabbing him seven times with a knife before fleeing, leaving Leigh to bleed to death in his living room.

Detectives on the case had found that the motive for Leigh's murder had come from an argument the week before.

Jacob Cookson, together with another male and his girlfriend were sitting with Leigh in his flat when Cookson and the other man had an argument ending in Cookson being violently assaulted by the man.

Cookson believed that Leigh had set him up to be assaulted and so was looking for revenge.

Leigh was not found until the following day, when a concerned neighbour went round to the flat to check on him and found his body, alerting police to the scene.

Leigh's mother Jackie, said: "Although it will not bring Leigh back and he is greatly missed, we as a family are pleased that we have now got justice for Leigh."

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Cottam, of GMPs Major Investigation Team, said: " This was a shocking and disturbing murder of a vulnerable man by two teenagers who have shown little remorse for their actions.

"Our thoughts are very much with Leigh's loved ones today and I hope this guilty verdict brings some comfort to them.

"Cuckooing is a horrendous practice, which we are determined to crack down on in Greater Manchester.

"As always, we need the assistance of the public to keep making sure we are aware of anyone who may be a victim, so that we can give them help and support and bring those who commit these acts to justice.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to say if you think a family member, friend or neighbour may be a victim of cuckooing, then please get in touch with police so we can help them."

The two defendants will appear at Minshull Street Crown Court for sentencing on Friday 28th January 2022.

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