Police have charged a fourth person in connection with the fatal stabbing of Christopher Bradbury, 44, who was attacked near Hanley Park in Stoke-on-Trent on the evening of 23 July.
Additional charge as investigations proceed
The newly charged defendant, Qays Mahmood, 25, of Shelton, has been accused of murder and is scheduled to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Thursday. The case follows previous court appearances by three other men who have already been remanded in custody.
- Hassan Ahmed, 19 appeared at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre and remains in custody ahead of a hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
- Dhannish Mahmood, 19 and Subhan Nadeem, 20 both appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court and were remanded, with a further hearing listed for 28 September.
“He was loved so much and will be sadly missed,”
This tribute to Mr Bradbury was issued by his family through Staffordshire Police. They described the depth of their loss in brief comments released by the force.
Local courts and the next steps
Proceedings are now taking place across the local court estate: initial appearances at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre have led to remands and transfers to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court for fuller hearings. The scheduling reflects standard procedure when a homicide investigation results in multiple defendants and where higher court jurisdiction is required.
| Defendant | Age | Court | Next listed date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qays Mahmood | 25 | North Staffordshire Justice Centre | Due to appear on Thursday |
| Hassan Ahmed | 19 | North Staffordshire Justice Centre / Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court | Hearing at Crown Court on Thursday |
| Dhannish Mahmood | 19 | Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court | Hearing on 28 September |
| Subhan Nadeem | 20 | Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court | Hearing on 28 September |
All four remain subject to the criminal process, and no determination of guilt has been made. Magistrates and Crown Court judges will oversee the next stages as the prosecution prepares its case and as defence teams respond.
Community impact and policing
Stab incidents that result in loss of life reverberate widely across neighbourhoods, particularly when they occur close to public spaces such as Hanley Park. Staffordshire Police has been the conduit for both the investigation updates and the family statement. Local residents may expect increased police activity while enquiries continue and at forthcoming court hearings.
As the legal process unfolds, the details released so far emphasise the seriousness of the charges and the number of people now facing prosecution. The next few weeks will clarify the prosecution timetable and any further court listings. Victim support and community services typically engage with bereaved families in incidents of this kind; those affected are advised to contact Staffordshire Police or local support agencies for assistance.
Further reporting will follow court proceedings and any additional statements from the family or the force.
