'Very dangerous' fugitive who had been on the run for almost four years is jailed for 30 years

Callum Halpin

A fugitive who had been on the run for almost four years has been jailed for 30 years.

Callum Halpin (aged 28) was wanted in connection with the murder of Luke Graham, 31, and the attempted murder of Anton Verigotta, in Ashton in June, 2018. 

Graham, a dad-of-two, was ambushed and shot dead in a drugs turf war in broad daylight.

At Minshull Street Crown Court today (Friday), Halpin was jailed for 30 years for the murder of Luke Graham.

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

Five men had previously been brought to justice in July 2019 as part of Operation Yale, including Wade Cox, who was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 36 years, and Jordan Atkinson, who was jailed for eight years.

Halpin featured in the National Crime Agency's (NCA) list of 12 of the UK’s most wanted fugitives believed to be hiding in Spain in January, 2022.

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

Detective Inspector Lee Barrow, from GMP's City of 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 to 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."

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