A 27-year-old man was sent to prison on February 20, 2026, after carrying out a violent machete attack at a shop in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Dale Dean was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for the assault that took place in the Breightmet area.
The attack happened on April 5, 2025, at around 7:50 PM in an off-licence on Kentmere Road. The victim suffered serious injuries during the incident, which was described by witnesses as a terrifying event where the victim was left bleeding heavily.
According to Bolton North Police, Dean was sentenced to 52 months in custody. He will also have to serve an extra 20 months on licence once he is released, creating a total six-year sentence framework.
During the court hearing, it was noted that the attack caused significant fear for people in the shop at the time. CCTV footage showed a mother and young children hiding in the aisles as the violence unfolded in front of them.
Detective Constable Jordan Brown said that the police welcome the sentence because it reflects how serious the crimes were. Dean plead guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, as well as affray and having a machete in a public place without a good reason.
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