Key Points
- Nathan Peters, aged 23, from Lock Lane, Partington, has been convicted of attempting to murder Max Morrison in the town center of Altrincham.
- The assault took place in the early morning hours of Sunday, 30 November 2025, on Railway Street, Altrincham.
- Mr Morrison, aged 21, was stabbed four times, fell to the ground nearby and suffered cardiac arrest, the court was told.
- While Peters admitted wounding with intent against Mr Morrison, he denied attempted murder, leaving the jury to decide if he had intended to kill him.
- Peters also admitted slashing the face of Mr Morrison’s friend, Harrison Brannan, who intervened to try to stop the stabbing.
- Peters admitted to assaulting Mr Marvin-Jay Speakman and Miss Melissa Mellor by punching and pushing her to the ground respectively.
- Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson said Peters had a knife, wore a balaclava and committed “unprovoked attacks” on strangers.
- Peters is scheduled to be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 17 December.
- Greater Manchester Police described this as an isolated incident and called for witnesses following the first disturbance.
Altrincham Crime (Manchester Mirror) October 23, 2026 — Nathan Peters, 23, was today found guilty of attempting to murder Max Morrison during a series of random attacks in the town centre in November 2025.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Peters, of Lock Lane, Partington, was convicted by a jury after Mr Morrison was stabbed four times in the early hours of Sunday, 30 November 2025. The court heard that Mr Morrison collapsed nearby and went into cardiac arrest following the attack.
Peters had already admitted wounding with intent in relation to Mr Morrison, but denied attempted murder. The jury was told that the central issue was narrow: whether Peters intended to kill Mr Morrison when he stabbed him.
He now faces a lengthy jail sentence, with sentencing listed for 17 December.
Where Did the Altrincham Attack Happen?
The violence began after Peters left the Tiki bar in Altrincham town centre, according to prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson. Greater Manchester Police said the disturbance was reported on Railway Street shortly after 03:20 GMT on 30 November 2025.
Police said a 21-year-old man suffered a chest injury and was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. Another man in his twenties suffered facial injuries described by the force as “life-changing”, while a 51-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman received minor injuries.
A large police cordon was put in place in the town centre, and forensic officers examined the scene while detectives gathered CCTV from nearby businesses.
What Did the Prosecutor Tell the Jury?
Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson told the trial that Peters carried out a series of unprovoked attacks on people who had no connection with him. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Mr Dickinson said:
“The defendant, apparently himself on a night out, carried out a series of unprovoked attacks on people who had no connection with him and just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He told jurors that Peters had been carrying a knife before attacking Mr Morrison and had covered his face with a balaclava. Mr Dickinson said:
“There can be no doubt that he was intent on serious violence. There are four stab wounds to Mr Morrison.”
Peters was detained by police a short time after the attacks.
Who Were the Victims in the Altrincham Attacks?
The court heard that Peters first punched Marvin-Jay Speakman and pushed Mr Speakman’s partner, Melissa Mellor, causing her to fall. He admitted two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to them.
Shortly afterwards, Peters came into contact with Mr Morrison, Harrison Brannan and one of their friends. In a police video interview played to the court, Mr Brannan said he saw Peters and Mr Morrison fighting after looking up from his phone.
Jurors were told that Peters stabbed Mr Morrison several times and slashed Mr Brannan’s face while Mr Brannan was trying to stop Peters from stabbing Mr Morrison further. Peters admitted wounding with intent in relation to Mr Brannan.
When Was Nathan Peters Charged?
Greater Manchester Police charged Peters on 2 December 2025 with attempted murder, Section 18 assault and two Section 47 assaults. He appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court the same day.
At the time of the initial arrest, police said a 24-year-old man from Partington had been detained on suspicion of attempted murder and assault. The force later identified him as Nathan Peters, whose date of birth was given as 24 November 2002.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Dixon said at the time that the attack was believed to be isolated. As reported by the BBC, he said:
“We are appealing to anyone in the area to come forward who may have witnessed an altercation on Railway Street, before a white male in his 20s ran down the street towards Altrincham Interchange.”
What Happens Next in the Case?
Peters is due to be sentenced on 17 December. The jury’s attempted-murder conviction means the sentencing hearing will consider the full circumstances of the attack, including the prosecution’s account that he was armed with a knife and wearing a balaclava.
The conviction follows a trial at Manchester Crown Court, where jurors heard evidence about the sequence of assaults in Altrincham town centre.
Background of the Development
The incident occurred in the early hours of 30 November 2025, when Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a disturbance on Railway Street in Altrincham. Officers found four injured people, and a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault.
Police later said the victims included a 21-year-old man with a chest wound, a man in his twenties with serious facial injuries, and two older adults with minor injuries. A cordon was established around Railway Street and the Goose Green area while forensic teams worked at the scene.
The case was subsequently heard at Manchester Crown Court, where Peters admitted assaults on three people but contested the allegation that he intended to kill Mr Morrison. The jury’s verdict has now resolved that dispute, finding him guilty of attempted murder.
Prediction: How This Affects Altrincham Residents
For Altrincham residents, nightclub-goers and town-centre businesses, the conviction is likely to renew attention on late-night safety around Railway Street and the wider town centre. The incident already prompted a significant police presence, forensic examination and CCTV inquiries, which may encourage continued calls for visible policing and improved night-time safety measures.
Local people may also expect clearer communication from Greater Manchester Police about what has changed since the attack, particularly because the force described the incident as isolated and thanked businesses for their cooperation during the investigation. For visitors and residents using the town centre at night, the case is likely to reinforce the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour, avoiding speculation online and supporting police appeals for witnesses.
