Police have issued a fresh appeal for information after a man died following a 'vicious' attack in a park in Old Trafford.
Headley Barry Thomas, known as Barry, was found unconcious with severe head injuries in Penn Park, off Maher Gardens, on September 12. On October 2, the 51-year-old tragically died of his injuries.
Since the attack, murder detectives have been hunting for his killer. Now, eight weeks on, Barry's family are still desperate for answers - and desperate for justice.
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Yesterday (November 7), detectives from GMP's Major Incident Team renewed his murder appeal. A picture of Barry riding his bike on the morning of the attack was released.
Around 150 posters were put up in the local area in the hope that someone will recognise Barry, or his bike which has not yet been found. Police said they are 'confident' that someone would have seen him that day.
They particularly want to speak to anyone who was in or around the 'very busy' park between 12pm and 3pm on September 12. Barry was found unconcious at around 3pm.
A new witness appeal poster released by GMP said: "Can you help us? Did you see Barry?
"Headley Barry Thomas, known as Barry wasfound with severe head injuries lying next toa bench in Penn Park, off Maher Gardens, Old Trafford on Monday 12 September 2022 at around 3pm.
"He was taken to hospital but sadly lost his fight for life on 2 October 2022. Greater Manchester Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen Barry on Monday 12 September 2022 and, in particular, anyonewho may have seen Barry or anyone who was in the park between 12 noon and 3pm.
"Barry has been captured on CCTV riding a mountain bike that morning. When he was found, he was not in possession of the bike.
"Have you seen the bike, or know someone who has it? You may even have it yourself."
Senior investigating officer, DCI Gareth Davies of the Major Incident Team, who led the appeal yesterday, said: "This is a very busy park and we are confident there must be someone who saw Barry just prior to the assault, or indeed, even witnessed the assault. It was at a time of day when there was plenty of footfall in the park, with school and college pupils and people going about their daily business.
"So, we know for a fact that Monday 12 September was no different. We are encouraging anyone who may have seen Barry, or indeed the bike he was seen riding just prior to the vicious assault eight weeks ago, to come forward and speak to us.
"You can do this in complete confidence and we will treat the information you provide sensitively. Barry’s family are trying to make sense of what has happened to him and are desperately searching for answers.
"It is our wish to be able to provide them with the information they need to be able to come to terms with Barry’s death and begin the grieving process. So if you were in or around Penn Park on Monday 12 September 2022 between 12 noon and 3pm, please get in touch with us.
"You may not know that you have seen anything, but the information that you provide may be the key to solving this senseless and violent crime. If we can find out where Barry’s bike went after the attack, then this could also provide us with answers to some of the questions that we have.
“Information including photographs and video footage can be submitted through our dedicated portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP22M15-PO1. If you were handed a leaflet, then you will see a QR code at the bottom, which, if you scan it with your phone, it will take you to this portal.
"Alternatively, ring us on 0161 856 1995, or use our Live Chat service at www.gmp.police.uk quoting log number 1983 of the 12 September 2022. As always, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
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