Families of Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry respond as brother of Manchester Arena bomber found guilty

The families of South Shields couple Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry are “relieved” the trial is over as the brother of Manchester Arena bomber is found guilty.
South Shields couple Liam Curry and Chloe Rutherford.South Shields couple Liam Curry and Chloe Rutherford.
South Shields couple Liam Curry and Chloe Rutherford.

The jihadi brother of the Manchester Arena terrorist was not present as the jury found him guilty on 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and conspiring with his brother to cause explosions after less than five hours of deliberations.

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He is facing life behind bars when he is sentenced at a later date for the horrific events which took place on May 22, 2017.

Young couple Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19, both from South Shields, were among those who lost their lives that day.

Their families, who set up the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust in their memory, have now responded to the verdict by saying “extremely happy” with the outcome and “relieved” it’s over.

They also thanked their fellow family members, friends and the general public for their support in the last few years.

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In a statement to the Gazette, a spokesperson for the families commented: “We are relieved it is over and we are extremely happy with the verdict.

“We would like to thank GMP and everyone who have worked so hard on the case and a huge thank you to all our families, friends and the general public for their overwhelming support.”

Families of some of the victims wept as the verdict came in on Tuesday.

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Hartlepool-born Jane Tweddle, 51 and Philip Tron, 32, and his partner’s daughter Courtney Boyle, 19, who were both from Gateshead also died in the attack.

The senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Barraclough has said Hashem was "every bit as responsible" as his older brother - and may have been the senior figure in the plot, with intentions for further bloodshed around the world.