Teenagers charged after Manchester taxi driver stabbing

Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of a taxi driver who was stabbed during an attempted robbery in east Manchester a year ago.

Anthony Leigh, 61, from Audenshaw, was attacked as he stopped his car in Clayton on 5 January 2009.

He was admitted to hospital, where he remained until his death in August.

Declan Fitzsimmons and Nathan Livesey both admitted attempted robbery but now face murder charges after a review by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Mr Leigh, who was known as Tony, collected two men outside the Bay Horse pub after his firm received a call requesting a taxi.

He was stabbed as he stopped his car on Barrington Street.

Trial date

Fitzsimmons, 19, of Chesham Avenue, Wythenshawe, and Livesey, 18, of Shackleton Court, Newton Heath, are both on remand after admitting the robbery charges last year.

But following Mr Leigh's death, the CPS launched a review of the case and applied to the Attorney General to authorise new charges.

CPS reviewing lawyer John Werhun said: "These charges follow Mr Leigh's death on 2 August 2009 after he sustained what proved to be fatal injuries when he was stabbed in January last year after dropping two men off at an address in Clayton.

"Two men were originally charged with attempted robbery but, following Mr Leigh's sad death, the CPS has reviewed the file and medical evidence and revised the charges accordingly."

The case was listed for mention at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday and a trial date was set for 17 May.