Keith Knight, 49, admits manslaughter after killing Irina Artemeva in a series of car crashes
A man who killed a woman and injured several others during a horrific car rampage in Rochdale has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
Keith Knight, 49, was accused of driving his car into multiple pedestrians and vehicles in a shocking series of collisions that left 68-year-old Irina Artemeva dead and six others seriously hurt. The incident unfolded on Saturday, May 3, when Knight’s vehicle struck several people across different locations in the Greater Manchester town.
At Manchester Crown Court on Monday, Knight admitted to the manslaughter of Artemeva and six counts of attempted murder. He had originally faced a murder charge, but prosecutors accepted a plea to the lesser offence after psychiatric assessments found he was suffering from a serious mental health condition at the time of the attacks.
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The court heard that Knight was experiencing “abnormal mental functioning” that impaired his ability to make rational judgments or exercise self-control. Prosecutor Michael Brady KC told the judge that experts agreed Knight’s state met the legal threshold for diminished responsibility, which reduced the charge from murder to manslaughter.
“It was found that the defendant was not in the condition to exercise rational judgement or self-control,” Mr Brady said. “A partial defence of diminished responsibility is accepted by the Crown.”
The rampage began just after 2.30pm when police were called to Bury Road, near the junction with Woodgate Avenue, following reports that a car had ploughed into a woman pushing a pram and two other pedestrians. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as emergency services rushed to the scene, finding victims sprawled on the pavement and a badly damaged car at the roadside.
Moments later, Knight’s vehicle was reported to have struck another pedestrian, 68-year-old Irina Artemeva, on Whitworth Road near Rochdale town centre. Despite rapid medical intervention, Ms Artemeva died from her injuries shortly afterwards. Her death sent shockwaves through the community, where residents described her as “kind, gentle and full of life”.
Police launched a large-scale operation across the town as reports came in of further collisions. Officers eventually detained Knight after his car came to a stop following the final crash. He was taken into custody and later charged with murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.
Defending Knight, Mukul Chawla KC told the court that his client had shown genuine remorse for the devastation he caused. “To his credit, he is deeply remorseful that his actions have caused such hurt and pain,” Mr Chawla said.
Knight, of no fixed abode, has been held on remand since his arrest. The court heard that he has been under psychiatric evaluation since the incident. He is expected to remain in custody until his sentencing hearing, which has been scheduled for January 19 next year.
Detectives described the May 3 rampage as one of the most violent driving incidents Greater Manchester has seen in years. Forensic investigators have reconstructed the sequence of collisions using CCTV footage and witness statements to understand how the rampage unfolded across several city streets.
Police have continued to work with medical experts and victims’ families in the aftermath of the tragedy. Several of the injured survivors are still recovering from serious physical and psychological trauma.
Following the plea hearing, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police praised emergency responders and the public for their actions on the day. “This was a shocking and deeply distressing event for everyone involved,” they said. “Our thoughts remain with the family of Ms Artemeva and all those affected.”
As the court prepares for sentencing, prosecutors are expected to outline in detail the extent of the injuries suffered by survivors and the lasting impact on the community. The judge will also consider medical evidence when deciding the length and conditions of Knight’s sentence, which could include hospital treatment under the Mental Health Act.