S17E09 | Jason Comerford (Ancoats, Greater Manchester, 1994)

In February 1994, a night out in Manchester ended in tragedy when 21-year-old Jason Comerford was fatally stabbed as he made his way home.

Despite hundreds of witness interviews, a Crimewatch appeal and a major investigation, the case went cold - and Jason’s family were left without answers for decades.

It would take breakthroughs in forensic science, the dogged persistence of detectives and an extraordinary battle against the justice system itself before Jason’s killer was finally unmasked. But by the time the truth came out, it was too late for those who had fought hardest to see justice done.

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Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
A man has been sentenced following the death of Jason Comerford 26 years ago. (2021, January 5). Greater Manchester Police. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2021/january/a-man-has-been-sentenced-following-the-death-of-jason-comerford-26-years-ago/
Avenell, A. & Criminal Bar Quarterly. (2019). Forensic DNA profiling. In Forensic Access. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.forensic-access.co.uk/media/reiks55r/fa-cbq-may-2019-phil-avenell.pdf
Bardsley, A. (2020, October 13). Pensioner, 75, admits killing man 26 years ago in city centre stabbing attack. Daily Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pensioner-75-admits-killing-man-22837872
Bardsley, A. (2021, January 6). “We were never going to give up”: Police who tracked down Jason Comerford’s killer after two decades on how they brought him to justice. Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/geoffrey-strike-jason-comerford-court-19569353
Crime Ball. (2023, June 16). Murder of Jason Comerford - UK true crime documentary [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_euYgmYOEA
Criminal sentence -  GS - Manchester Crown Court - Mr Justice Hilliard. (2021, January 5). The Law Pages. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Geoffrey-Strike-31065-1.law
Grimsditch, L. (2023, December 12). The rise and fall of Discotheque Royales - the 1990s club Manchester loved. Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/nostalgia/rise-fall-discotheque-royales-l990s-28238190#comments-wrapper
Keeling, N. (2020, October 13). How the killer of a Discotheque Royale clubber escaped justice for 26 years. Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/how-killer-discotheque-royale-clubber-19088675
Keeling, N. (2021, January 17). The cries in the night that haunt the team with 200 mysterious murders to solve. Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/cries-night-haunt-team-200-19609227
Keeling, N., & Bardsley, A. (2021, January 6). Brother of young man stabbed to death 26 years ago speaks out as his killer finally faces justice. Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/geoffrey-strike-jason-comerford-court-19564729
Knife killer brought to justice for 1994 Manchester stabbing. (2021, January 5). BBC News. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55545579
Murder charge over Ancoats stab death 26 years ago. (2020, February 19). BBC News. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-51557400
Murder hunt threatens my club says The Weed. (1994, March 1). Manchester Evening News, 14.
National DNA Database Strategy Board. (2017). National DNA Database Strategy Board Annual Report 2015/16. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a803e67ed915d74e33f94b2/58714_Un-Num_Nat_DNA_DB_Accessible.pdf
Newman, J. P. (Director). (2021, November 22). Cold Case Killers (season 1, episode 6). Rare-TV.
Nott, A. (1998, May 13). “KILLER” NAME CLUE: Murder hunt cops reopen inquiry after mystery call. Manchester Evening News, 5.
Police still hunt killer. (1994, October 14). Manchester Metro News, 39.
Reward bid to capture a murderer. (1994, March 31). Manchester Metro News, 3.
Stephenson, C. (1994, March 4). “Loner” killed in stab attack. Manchester Metro News, 14.
Victims’ Right to Review scheme. (2021, May 27). The Crown Prosecution Service. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/victims-right-review-scheme
Wilkinson, D. (2023, June 18). Quality Street Gang: How Jimmy the Weed and Krays’ pal Ronnie Knight became partners on the Costa Del Crime. Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/quality-street-gang-how-jimmy-27123545