Wythenshawe man jailed for Handforth burglary spree

A Wythenshawe man has been jailed after escaping from a prison and going on a crime spree in Handforth.

Matthew Gradwell, from Benchill Road in Wythenshawe, appeared at Chester Crown Court on 1st September to be sentenced after pleading guilty to escaping lawful custody, three counts of burglary and theft, theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of theft from a motor vehicle, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

He was jailed for six years and six months.

On 16th June police were called to an address in Handforth after a resident reported a burglary. A black Mercedes GLC had been stolen from the driveway along with other vehicle keys, a PlayStation 5 and a handbag with a purse in it containing bank cards, driving licence and some change.

Colleagues from Greater Manchester Police were notified about the burglary and stolen vehicle.

Greater Manchester Police spotted the car on them and pursued the car through Wythenshawe. The car reached in excess of 100mph during the pursuit and in a continued effort to evade police, Gradwell mounted the pavement causing a pedestrian to fall into the road and be seriously injured. A short while later he crashed the stolen car into a tree.

Gradwell ran from the car and tried to hit a pursuing officer with a wheelie bin as he tried to escape. He was subsequently tasered and arrested.

He was found to be in possession of the stolen bank cards, driving licence, vehicle keys and a screwdriver.

Further enquiries by officers established that not only was Gradwell disqualified from driving, but he also had absconded from HMP Kirkham since 27th December 2025.

Officers in Cheshire were alerted to the fact the owner of the driving licence lived in a house not far from the house that was burgled in Handforth.

Officers attended the address and saw that a large bay window was wide open. The occupants were unaware they had been burgled until police showed up and asked if the person on the bank cards and the driving licence lived there. They then discovered their purse was missing from their handbag.

Meanwhile, two further residents had contacted police to report someone had stolen items from their car.

One of the occupants reviewed her Ring doorbell and saw someone approach her front door and try to cover the camera. Two suspects then managed to open the car before rummaging through the vehicle. Two prescription sunglasses were taken from the car.

The second victim reported his car had been broken into and an iPad, charger and a laptop charger were stolen.

CCTV enquiries showed two suspects entering the vehicle on the driveway. The addresses were all in walking distance of each other.

Detective Constable Harry Bayley of Macclesfield Proactive CID:

“Not only was Gradwell absconding from prison, but he was also on a crime spree leaving a trail of victims feeling violated in their own homes by his actions. Gradwell showed a complete disregard to the law and safety of members of the public in his efforts to evade police resulting in life-changing injuries sustained to an innocent member of the public out walking. Thankfully he is back behind bars where he belongs.”

Detective Sergeant Laura Fox of Macclesfield Proactive CID, added:

“This case demonstrates the continued joint relationship working with our colleagues in Greater Manchester Police. Burglary is a horrific offence, and I hope that the sentence handed to Gradwell will provide some closure to the victims and also provide reassurance to the local community. I also hope that the case acts as a warning to anyone else who is thinking about coming to Cheshire to commit crime.”

Pictured - Matthew Gradwell, from Benchill Road in Wythenshawe.