Search results for Manchester

Description

Szuhel Lee, 53, of Roberts Street, Salford, has been jailed for 27 months after being caught attempting to arrange the sexual abuse of a child with an undercover officer – less than a year after his release from a 10-year US prison sentence for a similar offence.

Lee was first jailed in Florida in 2013 after travelling to Orlando with the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16. He was released in 2022. In August 2025 he began messaging an undercover officer from Operation Xcalibur on a porn website, later moving the conversation to Telegram.  

On 5 September he asked about sexually abusing the officer’s purported granddaughter and requested to speak to the “girl.” One message he sent read: “Do you s*** his d***?”  

He was arrested in October 2025. Police recovered hundreds of indecent images of children from his devices, including 121 Category A images and videos of children aged four to six, 135 Category B images and videos of children aged 0–12 months, and 1,109 Category C images of children aged six to eight. Seven extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality were also found.  

Lee pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to attempted sexual communication with a child, making Category A, B and C indecent images of children, and possession of an extreme pornographic image.  

Prosecutor Eleanor Brambell told the court the conversation began on 12 August 2025 and that Lee “said he wanted to speak to the ‘granddaughter’” before asking her to describe sexual abuse.  

Defending, Clare Ashcroft said Lee had received no offence-related courses in the US prison and “has never been given the opportunity to engage with the probation service and to address what is a sexual interest in children.” She described him as an isolated individual with little family contact who “felt very alone and didn’t know what to do.”  

Recorder Alexandra Simmonds sentenced Lee, stating: “The similarity between the previous case and this one demonstrates a continued sexual interest in children on your part, and a perseverance to continue that behaviour not withstanding the length of sentence.”  

He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Description

A man has been jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to numerous child sex offences committed over a period of more than a year.

Peter Declan West (24/01/1992), of Alder Street, Salford, received his sentence today (22 July) at Manchester Crown Court.

West had previously pleaded guilty to:

• Six counts of sexual activity with a child
• Three counts of making an indecent image of a child
• Engaging in sexual communication with a child
• Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Causing a child to watch a sexual act
• Possessing a prohibited image of a child
• Distributing an indecent image of a child

Beginning in December 2024, West began grooming a 13-year-old girl online. Initially beginning as text conversations, this evolved into more explicit and inappropriate chats.

After screenshots were discovered by the father of the girl, West was reported and then arrested by officers in June 2025.

He answered no comment to all questions when interviewed, and was released on bail to allow officers to gather more evidence.

It was soon found out that West and the girl had engaged in sexual activity, after officers downloaded material from his phone.

West would pick the girl up from Oldham and drive her to his home in Salford, where he would emotionally manipulate the girl.

The girl, having been groomed for a significant amount of time, was originally conflicted about what to do during the process due to the manipulative actions of West.

However, she bravely spoke about the crimes she had endured, and which helped ensure West was arrested, charged, and prosecuted.

In addition to his eight-year sentence, he has received an additional extended licence period of six years.

Detective Constable Bethany Hulmes, from GMP’s Salford district, said:

“West groomed and manipulated a young girl to engage in sexual activity, abusing her trust to make her think he cared for her.

“However, West cared for no-one but himself and his vile actions rightfully mean he is now behind bars for several years.

“I want to pay tribute to the young victim and her family in this case – they have endured so much over the last couple of years, and I hope today’s result can bring them some level of closure.

“Any crimes of this nature are always taken with the utmost seriousness by GMP, and we would urge anyone who believes they have a similar story – no matter how long ago – to please get in touch with us. We will support you and do what we can to get you the justice you deserve.”

Description

On Monday 13 July 2026 at Manchester Crown Square Court, Jovhan Pascoe (17/08/1986) of Moss Bank Road, Crumpsall, was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 15 years, for the rape of a woman. 

He has a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in place.

On Wednesday 10 September 2025, officers were called to reports of a serious sexual assault at an address on St Chads Street, in Cheetham Hill, at around 3:30am. Pascoe was arrested on suspicion of rape and remanded into police custody. 

The survivor was supported by officers, and an investigation was immediately launched.

In an impact statement describing the traumatic effects the rape has had on her life, she said:

"I am writing this impact statement to explain the profound effect this crime has had on me. Since that night I haven’t slept properly. I have to sleep with a light and that's if I can get to sleep.

"Some nights I don’t sleep for days, because I’m terrified and nervous thinking someone going to walk in and hurt me again, the slightest noise makes me jump. Even the sound of a car revving outside, or if something falls on the floor and makes a bang, I get palpitations where my chest and heart start racing like having adrenaline rush, my anxiety levels go up. It can take me hours to calm myself down, but I manage it."

Throughout interview in police custody and the investigation, Pascoe denied the offence and made derogatory comments about the survivor. 

Whilst in court, Pascoe would interrupt the judge when he was speaking by whistling and clicking to get his attention.

On 13 March 2026, Pascoe was found guilty of rape by jury following a five-day trial at Manchester Crown Square Court. On 13 July 2026, he was jailed for life in prison, to serve a minimum of 15 years. 

Detective Constable Katie Geldard from City of Manchester CID said:

“I’d like to thank the brave victim for coming forward and reporting this horrendous crime to us, and for working with us throughout the course of the investigation.  

“Thanks to her courage, this dangerous sexual predator has been removed from the streets and put behind bars. I hope this sentence brings her a sense of justice as she rebuilds her life. 

“Anyone who may have been a victim of sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police at any time. We will provide support, conduct thorough investigations, and take firm action against offenders. 

"Your allegations will be taken seriously, and you will be treated with dignity and respect." 

Description

A taxi-driver who picked up a vulnerable woman and raped her in her own home has today received a 16-year sentence.

Khalafalla Yagoub (19/01/1980), of Burnett Avenue, Salford, was found guilty of rape last month, with his sentencing coming today (13 July) at Manchester Crown Court.

The court heard how on the evening of 28 November 2025, a 19-year-old woman was out in Manchester with her friends.

After leaving a bar at 3am the following morning, Yagoub picked the woman up in her taxi – though the woman was intoxicated, in a vulnerable state, and had not booked the taxi.

After taking her back to her home, Yagoub raped the woman. He had claimed in police interview that he had helped the woman and that it was consensual – stating that it was a ‘gift’ for driving her home.

This turned out to be a sinister lie.

In the days after, his victim reported feeling unwell, and soon received a call from Yagoub, not knowing who he was. Yagoub told the woman about their encounter, with the woman realising that she had been raped while in a vulnerable and intoxicated state, and with no recollection of what had taken place. While she had some images in her mind, she had believed them to be a dream.

She then bravely reported the incident to the police.

Officers attempted to track Yagoub and could not locate him, but soon found that he was due to travel on flight to Istanbul on 3 December. He was arrested at the airport before he could board and subsequently taken into custody.

Yagoub’s victim bravely gave evidence as part of the trial– with Yagoub seen to be laughing while she read this out. This was later acknowledged by the judge in his sentencing remarks.

In total, Yagoub received an 11-year custodial sentence with a five year extended licence. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and restraining order.

Detective Constable Oliver Smith, from Greater Manchester Police, said:

“Yagoub picked up a vulnerable woman and took advantage of her while she was in no fit state to consent. His actions were vile and I want to commend the woman for her bravery in coming forward – this work has been about ensuring justice for her.

“He spun a web of lies during his police interview, claiming various falsehoods about how he had helped her and that everything that happened was consensual. None of this was true.

“He is now behind bars where he belongs, and I hope that this result can bring some level of closure to his victim.”

Description

A 76-year-old man has been sentenced following an investigation into a number of sexual abuse reports against two victims from over 40 years ago.

Kenneth Goodman (18/11/1949) of Greendale Drive, Radcliffe, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years and three counts of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 14 after two brave women came forward and disclosed to police the abuse they endured at the hands of Goodman. He will serve six years in prison and he will be placed on the sex offender's register for life.

Both victims were in their early teenage years at the time of the abuse and knew Goodman in a professional capacity.

The first survivor (Woman A) approached our officers in 2018 to report the abuse Goodman subjected her to. This investigation then led us to identifying a second survivor (Woman B), who confirmed she had been in a sexual relationship with Goodman as a teenager.

Woman A was subjected to abuse on numerous occasions when she was around Goodman, and he made inappropriate comments to her and coerced her into sexual activity when they were alone together.

Woman B was groomed over a period of around three years by Goodman, who manipulated her at the age of 12 into being in a relationship with him and engaging in sexual activity. Goodman told the victim that as she had turned 13, they could "go further with their intimacy". This abuse continued until around the time the victim turned 15.

Following his arrest in 2019, Goodman denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty at a trial in March earlier this year.

Both women shared a statement at court following sentencing:

Woman A: "I have waited a very long time for this day. The sexual abuse you exposed me to will stay with me for the rest of my life. This is both the recollections of the acts and the subsequent impact they have taken on me.

[…]

You took away so much. I have lived with this every day, whilst presuming, rightly or wrongly, that you were enjoying your life. Free from the consequences of the sexual acts you committed on a child.

"The sentence determined by the court today, will hopefully, finally, give me some kind of justice and closure."

Woman B: "When you took my innocence, you took my spark. The spark that’s in all children which, when properly nurtured, becomes a light that leads them through life, enabling them to find love and to be loved.

"Enabling them to experience pure, unadulterated happiness. I have never experienced any of those things. But I’m here now taking back my spark, hoping it’s not too late for me to discover how to be truly happy.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan McGregor from our Serious Crime Division said: "This has been an ongoing investigation and the victims have shown incredible strength and patience throughout the process.

"I would firstly like to express my gratitude to them, as their support during this investigation has led to the conviction and sentencing of Goodman.

"This was an awful case about abuse of power. Goodman took advantage of these women from such a young age, and they have carried this with them since.

"I hope this sentence can now provide them with a sense of comfort and reassurance that no matter how long it has been, we will always take reports of this nature seriously, and we will do everything we can to ensure perpetrators see justice.

Description

A rapist has been jailed for 16 years following an investigation by our City of Manchester CID.

Bilal Alfroh, (2/12/91), of Gorton, had been found guilty of several counts of rape and actual bodily harm.

He also admitted an additional count of actual bodily harm and was jailed at Minshull Crown Court on 19 June 2026.

He will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence and has a lifetime restraining order against his victim.

His female victim prepared a statement for court, in which she said:

“I would like to thank everyone who was with me, supported me and made me feel that I was never alone.

“Even those I may have only seen once but who made me feel safe at that moment, thanks for everything.

''I hope that one day I can forget all this and start living again. Thank you for taking the time to listen to what I had to say.''

Alfroh carried out a sustained campaign of physical and sexual violence against his victim, including throwing a gym weight and pouring hot tea over her.

Detective Constable Adam Gawecki said:

“The victim has shown immense bravery in reporting these horrific crimes so Alfroh could be brought to justice.

“In her statement, she detailed the impact this horrific series of incidents has had on her - how it has impacted on her ability to socialize, and how it affects her sleep and depression.

“The victim detailed how the defendant would become aggressive towards her and raped her multiple times.”

Description

Gary Day-Davies (02/10/1970) of Tyldesley has been jailed for 15 years for non-recent child sex offences at Liverpool Crown Court today (Monday 8 June 2026).

Day-Davies was found guilty of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault by touching of a child.

The offences occurred between 2006-09 when the survivor was a pupil at a school in Salford that Day-Davies taught at. The abuse took place both at school and in Day-Davies’ home after he invited the survivor to his house for additional tuition.

Day-Davies then plied the survivor with drugs and alcohol and sexually abused her.

The survivor bravely reported her abuse to police in 2022, which allowed officers to conduct a thorough investigation.

Throughout the investigation Day-Davies denied the offences and at trial provided little explanation as to why these were brought to him. He stated that the charges came as the survivor ‘must have just held a bit of a grudge’ against him.

In a powerful statement read out in court, the survivor said:

“Since receiving the news of the guilty verdicts, I feel like an enormous weight was lifted off my shoulders. The emotional trauma bond that I have endured for the last 20 years has finally severed.

“I can eventually breathe and think for myself without constant fear of the consequences. I finally have justice – this is justice not for me as a child but now as an adult too.

“As much as the outcome gives me some form of closure, I have not fully processed the full extent of this situation yet. I know I have a long road ahead of me in terms of recovery and I am very much looking forward to see what the future looks like for me.”

Inspector Dave Ogden, of our Criminal Investigation Department in Salford, said:

“Day-Davies took advantage of the young age of the survivor to invite her to his home and sexually abuse her. He further sexually abused the survivor in the library and store cupboard in a classroom.

“Time is no barrier when it comes to being sexually abused – no matter how long ago it was, or how old you were at the time, we will listen to you.

"We will support you, investigate, and act robustly against perpetrators. We will take your allegations seriously and treat you with dignity and respect.”

Description

A former supply teacher from Greater Manchester has pleaded guilty to several child sex offences, including upskirting and voyeurism, following a GMP investigation.

Abusali Rahman (29/08/1989), a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford, entered the following formal guilty pleas at Bolton Crown Court today (28/5/26):

• 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting)
• 4 counts of publishing an obscene article (AI-generated sexualised images)
• 3 counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images)
• 1 count of distribute an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (sharing an upskirting image with another user)
• 1 count of operating equipment beneath clothing of another without consent (the act of upskirting)

He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 1 September.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025 against 13 girls at several secondary schools across the north west.

All affected schools and the victims' parents/guardians have been informed and necessary safeguarding personnel made aware of our investigation.

The guilty pleas follow an investigation by our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT).

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, head of GMP’s Public Protection Division, said:

“Our OCAIT team has painstakingly worked through the evidence to build a case against Rahman.

“The victims have been at the forefront of our investigation, and we have kept their parents and guardians and their schools informed and supported throughout this process.

“Protecting children remains our highest priority, and we will continue to work closely with and meeting the victims, schools and local authorities to ensure there is support in place for anyone affected.

“Anyone who wants to report an offence or has any information on this investigation can still call 0161 856 1737 where you can speak to specially trained officers, via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting Operation Pomerie.”

Alex Mann, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“This was a horrifying case involving an abuse of trust that affected multiple young victims.

“Rahman fell well below the standards expected of his role – first by sharing sexualised deepfake images online, before escalating to upskirting and voyeurism offences.

“Following a comprehensive GMP investigation, prosecutors were able to piece together a compelling case that left the defendant with little choice but admit his crimes.

“The guilty pleas entered today means he will face the consequences of his appalling actions, without victims having to prolong their suffering by reliving their experiences at trial.”

Description

On Thursday 14 May 2026 at Manchester Crown Court, Dean Clarke (13/01/2001), of Cannon Hussey Court, Salford, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexual communication with a child and sexual activity with a child.

Clarke’s offences came to light on Friday 21 October 2022 when a report was made to police by the victim’s mother that a 21-year-old man was communicating with her 13-year-old daughter via an online video and messaging platform.

The victim’s mother had discovered the messages from Clarke sent to her daughter on a personal laptop used at home. Some of the messages implied they had had a sexual relationship as they also talked about pregnancy tests. 

An investigation was immediately launched and officers arrested Clarke that same day. He was taken into custody for interview, where he denied all offences. Clarke’s mobile phone was also seized to be examined for evidence. He was released under bail conditions while enquiries continued. 

Evidence retrieved from Clarke’s mobile phone provided evidence that he was communicating with the victim in a sexual manner. Communications were consistent between Clarke and the victim between August and October 2022.  

The messages also suggested that Clarke had a relationship with the victim that was of a sexual nature. Photographs found also showed the victim and Clarke hugging, and on one occasion, the victim kissing Clarke’s cheek.  

After mobile phone and other digital evidence had been reviewed, Clarke was arrested again. During interviews Clarke continued to deny all offences and said his accounts had been hacked. Regarding the conversations found on his phone between himself and the victim; Clarke either said he could not recall or remember, and that he would not send messages of that nature.

On the first day of trial in March 2026, Clarke pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual communication with a child. 

On Thursday 14 May, Clarke was sentenced to five years in prison. He has been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order. Clarke has also been issued with a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

In a statement read in court, the victim’s mother spoke of how her daughter has been affected by the abuse, and of how it has impacted her life and education.  

Her mother said:

“She [the victim] explicitly said to me that she does not want to talk about it and does not want anyone to know about it. She was suffering with severe depression and anxiety at the time.  

“She did not attend school for four years. It is hard to put into words the impact this has had on her as she approaches her adult life. The loss of her education is by far the biggest impact on her in my opinion. 

She continued:

“The abuse [the victim] suffered has completely changed her as a person. She used to be quite fun and outgoing. She is not anymore. She is quite withdrawn now. She has trust issues. She cannot trust anyone. She struggles to build relationships.”  

The victim’s mother also spoke of how the abuse negatively affected her daughter's eating and sleeping habits. She added:

“She has isolated herself emotionally. She will not speak to me about it. I respect her views on this and hope she can move on with her life.” 

Detective Constable Robert Webster from GMP Salford’s Child Protection Investigation Unit, said:

“I’d like to thank the brave victim for sitting through interviews and helping us build a case against Clarke.  

“We understand it must have been very painful for her to revisit the abuse she was subjected to in order to help us with the investigation.”

Description

A teaching assistant from Bury has been sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple sex offences against a vulnerable boy of primary-school age.

Terri Cook (17/11/1987) of Masefield Avenue, Radcliffe, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday, where she was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for eight charges of sexual offences.

In September 2025, officers from our Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) began in intense investigation into Cook after a member of the public reported seeing her out with a young boy. The subsequent investigation showed she had been grooming and manipulating him into engaging in a sexual relationship with her.

Officers found numerous messages on her phone where she had been inciting sexual communications with the boy and holding indecent images of him. Cook was also found to have been buying him expensive items, jewellery, and clothing during their relationship for a period of over nine months.

In a powerful statement to the court, the victim's mum shared:

"He [the victim] was a happy boy who was extremely kind and caring to everyone around him. Despite experiencing traumatic events earlier in his life, he continued to be positive and compassionate. He smiled every day and made us all laugh.

To Miss Cook,

I trusted you. You were in a position of trust and power. Your role was to help children and keep them safe. Instead, you abused your position and harmed [the victim], not once but repeatedly. You knew about his past and deliberately used his vulnerability to your advantage. You have taken so much away from him at such a young age. This will affect his life forever, and it will be him who lives with the consequences of your selfish actions."

The CPIU play a vital role in protecting the children and young people across GM, working tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable members of the community. In the last year, the CPIU have increased their solved outcome rate, up to 14.3%, signifying our continuing work to bring justice to children and young people who have been abused.

Detective Sergeant Adam Stanfield from Burys CPIU said:

"I'd firstly like to thank the immense bravery and courage of the victim, throughout these proceedings.

"It is no easy thing to go through, but his and his family's support throughout this case has enabled us to put a sexual predator behind bars.

"This case was a horrific example of calculated abuse of power, and Cook targeted a vulnerable child who put his trust in her.

"Grooming is a form of manipulation that can leave lasting emotional and psychological damage, and our priority remains protecting young people and supporting victims as they recover.

"This sentencing also emphasises our unwavering commitment to protecting male victims. They can be victims too and I urge anyone who believes they may have been through anything similar to please report to us.

"We will always listen. You will always be taken seriously. And we will always take action."

Description

A man has been jailed for 13 years after Greater Manchester Police’s Cold Case Unit linked him to the indecent assault and attempted rape of a 74yearold woman in Stockport from more than 30 years ago.

The conviction follows a renewed cold case investigation and advances in forensic science that allowed evidence from 1992 to be reexamined.

Aron Traynor, 56, of London Road, Stockport, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday 8 May 2026 for the violent indecent assault and attempted rape of a woman in 1992.

The victim, who has since passed away, was attacked by a stranger while walking near her home. Despite extensive forensic work at the time, no suspect was identified.

The case remained under active review. In 2005, the Cold Case Unit commissioned further forensic analysis, producing a nearcomplete DNA profile that was added to the National DNA Database, but no match was found at that time.

A breakthrough came when a DNA sample taken from Traynor following an unrelated arrest for drink-driving in August 2023 matched the profile developed by the Cold Case Unit, finally bringing longawaited justice for the victim’s family.

 In October 2023, the Cold Case Unit was formally notified of the match, and Traynor was arrested shortly afterwards.

A fiveday jury trial in March 2026 found him guilty on both charges.

Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hughes said:

“Time is quite simply no barrier to justice.

“Today’s sentencing shows that we never close investigations into serious violent or sexual offences. DNA is crucial, but it’s the painstaking work of our officers - revisiting evidence, tracing witnesses, and rebuilding the investigative picture - that ultimately brings offenders to justice.

“Offenders should be in no doubt that forensic science continues to advance, and every interaction they have with the criminal justice system increases the chance of their crimes being uncovered.

“I’d like to thank the victim’s family for their support and cooperation in this case. Although the victim sadly has not lived to see justice served, I hope this sentence gives her family a sense of peace that the offender has been held accountable.”

A statement from the victim’s son was read in court, describing the devastating and lasting impact the attack had on his mother’s confidence, independence and wellbeing. He said the assault changed her life profoundly and affected the whole family.

GMP remains committed to tackling violence against women and girls and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice — no matter how much time has passed.

Description

A man has been jailed after sexually abusing a child and purchasing indecent images of children.

Ian Isherwood, of Shipton Street, Bolton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 27 April where he was sentenced to 15 years.

The 43-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children (categories A, B and C), possession of a category C image of a child, and assisting the commission of an offence.

Isherwood had also been found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 13, inciting sexual activity with a girl under 13, inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13.

The offences occurred in the Warrington area.

Cheshire Police arrested Isherwood in March 2024 after officers received information relating to a PayPal account which had been used to purchase indecent images of children. This account was linked to Isherwood.

His devices were seized and hundreds of indecent images of children were recovered. An image of a girl was also uncovered, who was identified and safeguarded. She stated she had been sexually abused by Isherwood when she was around eight-10 years old.

Isherwood was ultimately charged with multiple offences.

On top of his custodial sentence, Isherwood must sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Briony Shirley said:

“Isherwood is clearly a danger to children and has quite rightly been handed a significant prison sentence to reflect the severity of his crimes.

“Being in possession of indecent images of children is never a victimless crime, and on this occasion, officers identified and subsequently safeguarded a girl who Isherwood had previously abused.  

“The fact that he had then continued to look at images of children following this shows that he had absolutely no regard for anything other than satisfying his twisted and perverted sexual desires.

“I hope the victim in this case has been able to get some closure over what happened to her, knowing that Isherwood is locked up where he cannot do this to anyone else.”

Description

Thanks to the bravery of a survivor, a man who raped her has been jailed.

Muhammad Nasir, 18/12/1985, Stockport Road, Ashton Under Lyne, has today (Tuesday 5 May) been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment with an additional four years' license at Manchester Crown Court after being convicted of rape, committed in July 2021.

The survivor and her mother courageously reported the offence via LiveChat on Tuesday 24 August 2021.

The court heard that on Saturday 24 July 2021, the survivor had been out with friends at a nightclub on Deansgate. She left alone and phoned her mother to let her know she was on her way home.

Outside the nightclub, she entered a taxi she had not prebooked, driven by Nasir.

While travelling along the A6 towards Longsight, Nasir diverted into a quiet, treelined culdesac off the A6, where he stopped the vehicle. He then sexually assaulted and raped the survivor.

Following the attack, Nasir drove the survivor to a cash machine for her to withdraw money to pay him. He took approximately £70 from her before dropping her at her home.

Detectives who investigated the taxi location at that time found that the journey that should have taken 20 minutes in fact took three and a half hours.

The survivor built up the courage to report the rape a month after the incident took place.

Detectives were able to retrieve CCTV footage from the nightclub which evidenced the survivor getting in a taxi.

The registration of the taxi was linked to Muhammad Nasir who was subsequently arrested on 15 September 2021 at an address on Ashton Road by Tameside response officers.

Nasir has also been handed a restraining order, a court order preventing him from ever becoming a taxi driver again and was told he would remain on the sex offender register for life.

In court today the survivor said:

“I am here today as a survivor of a rape that occurred when I was 20 years old. I want the court to understand the profound impact this crime has had on my life and the work I have had to do to rebuild it.

“The offender was a taxi driver - someone I should have been able to trust to keep me safe. Instead, he abused me. That betrayal has stayed with me and has shaped much of the fear and instability I have experienced since.

“Within the first year after reporting this offence, I was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder.

“The trauma significantly affected my education; I missed a large number of university lectures, required extensions, and struggled daily to function. At times, I was unable to leave my room or remain at university.

“Beyond my studies, the impact left me anxious, withdrawn, fearful in everyday life, I struggled to feel safe leaving my home and had to make changes to my life to manage that fear.

“I felt as though I had lost my sense of self.

“Despite this, I have worked hard to rebuild my life by seeking support, committing to recovery and gradually regaining control. I now speak about my experience to raise awareness and support others and I have raised money for The Survivor Trust by completing a marathon - a charity I relied on heavily throughout the process.

“I know this experience will always be part of my life, but it no longer defines me.

“I am here today because I was believed by my family, friends and officers and charities who supported me throughout.”

Detective Constable James Adams from the Serious Crime Unit said:

“This was a truly heinous crime, and I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary strength and bravery shown by the survivor throughout this process.

“Coming forward, remaining engaged for more than four years and then choosing to raise awareness for others takes immense courage. Her determination to ensure that what happened to her does not define her is remarkable.

“Rape is one of the most serious and devastating crimes a person can experience. The sentence handed down today reflects the seriousness of Nasir’s actions and the lasting harm they caused.

“Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate sexual violence in any form, and we will always work to hold offenders to account.

“I would urge anyone who has experienced rape or sexual assault, no matter how long ago, to come forward. You will be listened to, believed and supported.”

Description

A man from Manchester has been jailed following an investigation carried out by the Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team.

Talha Ahmed was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment at Chester Crown Court on Friday 1 May. He was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Ahmed, of Cranford Avenue, Burnage, Manchester, had previously pleaded guilty to five counts of attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to look at images of sexual activity, three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudophotographs of a child and one count of attempting to incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a prohibited image of a child and one count of possession of indecent images or pseudophotographs of a child.

The case against the 25yearold began on 17 September 2024 when officers from the Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) executed a Section 8 warrant at Ahmed’s home address. This was in connection to offences relating to the possession, creation and sharing of indecent images of children.

Upon arrest, Ahmed told officers that illicit images had been sent to him by another person but claimed that he had since deleted them. During a subsequent search of the property, officers seized two mobile phones belonging to him.

While interviewed in custody, Ahmed was questioned about the possession and distribution of indecent images. He answered “no comment” to all questions and was later released on conditional bail while his devices were examined by digital media investigators.

Examination of the devices revealed the presence of Category A, B and C indecent images of children.

Further evidence showed that Ahmed had also committed additional offences by engaging in sexual communications with a child, requesting intimate images from her and sending sexual images of himself.

Ahmed was arrested and interviewed for a second time in February 2025, during which he was questioned about the sexual communications with the teenager and the exchange of images. He again chose to answer no comment to all questions put to him.

Digital forensic enquiries revealed that Ahmed had been communicating with the child across multiple social media and messaging platforms over a period of three years, from June 2021 to the point of his arrest in September 2024.

Ahmed was 20 years old when the offending began, and the victim was 14.

Detective Constable Faye Taylor, of the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“Engaging in communication with young people solely for the purpose of sexual gratification is truly abhorrent, and I welcome the sentence handed down to Talha Ahmed today.

“Ahmed was fully aware that the person he was communicating with was an underaged child, six years his junior. Despite this, he chose to engage in sustained contact with her over a period of more than three years in pursuit of his own warped fantasies.

“Ahmed believed that hiding behind a screen would allow him to avoid detection. He was wrong.

“Officers from within the Online Child Abuse Investigation Team deal with some of the most harrowing investigations due to the serious nature of child sexual abuse offences and the content that is often involved in such cases.

“Despite this, OCAIT officers work tirelessly, 365 days a year, to secure convictions and preventative orders against dangerous offenders, helping to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our society, children, from harm and exploitation.”

Description

A 24-year-old man who raped a young woman in Wrexham has been jailed.

Gift Oladele, of the Manchester area and currently of no fixed abode, violently attacked the 19-year-old victim as she walked home following a night out with friends.

Oladele introduced himself to the victim and her friend in the city centre in the early hours of September 7 last year.

He insisted on walking her home, claiming he was heading in the same direction.

As they walked alone towards Mold Road, he raped her on an isolated footpath.

Following the attack, he warned her not to report the incident to police.

Oladele was arrested hours later and subsequently charged and remanded into custody following a thorough investigation.

He denied rape and sexual assault, claiming the victim had consented, but a jury found him guilty at Mold Crown Court in March.

At Caernarfon Crown Court on Thursday, 30 April, he was sentenced to a total of 25 years, including 17 years in prison, with an extended licence period of eight years.

He was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order to protect the victim for life. 

Wrexham Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst said:

“Oladele is a dangerous predator who left a young woman fearing for her life as he subjected her to a disturbing and terrifying attack as she walked home following a night with her friends.

“He demonstrated no remorse for his crimes after forcing her to relive the traumatic experience through a trial.

“I would like to praise the dignity and courage she has shown throughout the investigation, and for her bravery in reporting this incident to us.

“Thankfully, today’s sentence has removed Oladele from the streets, preventing any further harm to anyone else. I hope it reassures the public that North Wales Police is committed to eradicating all incidents of violence against women and girls and is working tirelessly to bring perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice.

“I would urge any victim of sexual assault to get in touch with us. You will be listened to, your report will be taken seriously and fully investigated. We are here to support you.”