Man accused of entering Manchester Central Mosque with axe, knife and hammer to appear in court

Darren Connor will appear before magistrates

10:08, 27 Feb 2026Updated 11:05, 27 Feb 2026

Manchester Central Mosque(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

A man has been charged following an incident at a Manchester mosque.

Greater Manchester Police said Darren Connor, 55 – ‘a white British man’ – of Gorton Road, Stockport, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon; and possession of class B drugs.

He has been remanded in custody. He was due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday (February 27).

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It comes after an incident at Manchester Central Mosque on Tuesday (February 24). Mr Connor is accused of entering with an axe, a Stanley knife and a hammer. A second arrested man will face no further action, police said.

Court documents detail the particulars of the charges Mr Connor faces.

Count one reads: “Possess an offensive weapon in a public place. On 24th February 2026 at Manchester without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, had with you in a public place, namely a mosque, an offensive weapon, namely an axe, a Stanley knife and a hammer.”

Count two reads: “Possess a controlled drug of Class B – Cannabis / Cannabis Resin. On 24th February 2026 at Manchester had in your possession a quantity of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B.”