Teen's Death: Driver Admits Manslaughter

A legal development occurred concerning the death of 15-year-old Devon Simmonds, who tragically died in a collision involving a car and an electric bike on Rowrah Crescent in Middleton on July 22, 2025. The driver, 59-year-old Terence King, initially faced a murder charge. However, the jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on this charge.

Following the jury's inability to decide on the murder count, Mr. King entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter. The Crown Prosecution Service is now considering whether to proceed with a retrial for the murder charge. A decision on this matter is expected to be presented at a subsequent court hearing scheduled for February 10th. Mr. King has been remanded into custody, and sentencing for the manslaughter charge will take place at a later date if the murder charge is dropped.