Most wanted fugitive jailed for murder of father-of-two in market town

One of the UK's most wanted fugitives has been jailed for 30 years for the murder of man in a Greater Manchester market town almost five years ago.

Callum Halpin, 28, went on the run shortly after the murder of father-of-two Luke Graham in Ashton-under-Lyne.

GB News reported on Halpin after he featured in the National Crime Agency's annual Most Wanted appeal in January 2022.

Callum Halpin has been jailed for 30 years
Bristol Filer

Halpin played a key role in the murder of Graham, 31, and the attempted murder of Anton Verigotta, who was in the vehicle alongside Mr Graham and suffered a bullet injury to his leg.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Halpin was found guilty on all charges and jailed today for 30 years for the murder of Mr Graham.

He will serve a seven-year sentence concurrently for the wounding with intent of Anton Verigotta.

In 2019, five other men were convicted for their part of the deadly shooting.

They included Wade Cox, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 36 years.

Another member of the gang, Jordan Atkinson, was jailed for eight years.

Halpin featured in the National Crime Agency's 12 most wanted fugitives, after intelligence suggested he was hiding in Spain or Portugal.

He was eventually tracked to Portugal, arrested last May, and returned to the UK to face trial.

Detective Inspector Lee Barrow, from Greater Manchester CID, oversaw the original investigation in 2019.

He said: "Halpin is a very dangerous individual who has finally been brought to justice.

“The murder was carried out on a residential street with children having to run for cover.

"Halpin had been on the run since Luke was fatally shot on that tragic day and it has been our intention ever since to ensure all those suspected of being responsible for his death are caught and prosecuted.

“I want to thank partners from the National Crime Agency for their work in arresting Halpin and I know this will send a strong message that we are totally committed to working with law enforcement agencies across the world to ensure those wanted are caught wherever they try to hide, and ultimately face the serious charges they are accused of."