Latest Offenders Manchester

Description

A man has been sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison after being found guilty of a series of sexual and violent offences against a woman.

Ainsley France (20/11/1997), of Lever Street, Radcliffe, was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months imprisonment after being convicted of two counts of rape, sexual assault and coercive and controlling behaviour.

A thorough investigation by officers from Bury CID uncovered overwhelming evidence of France's sustained campaign of abuse and controlling behaviour towards the victim.

The investigation established that France repeatedly stalked the victim while she was out in public with friends and family. 

France went on to rape and sexually assault the victim on multiple occasions. Despite being told to stop, he continued his abuse and mocked the victim.

The evidence gathered by investigators, alongside the victim's courage in supporting the prosecution, resulted in France being found guilty of all offences.

Detective Constable Christopher Davis, from Bury CID, said:

"The victim has shown incredible strength and courage throughout this investigation and without her determination a dangerous offender may not have been brought to justice.

"She was subjected to sustained abuse, violence and intimidation which left her isolated, frightened and living under the constant threat of further harm.

"While the sentence cannot undo the trauma she has suffered, we hope it provides some measure of closure and allows her to move forward knowing that France can no longer harm her or others.

"This case demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those who commit offences of this nature and ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.

"I would urge anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, stalking or controlling behaviour to come forward and report it. You will be listened to, supported and treated with the utmost care throughout any investigation."

Description

46-year-old Eisen Vir Raganit, of Westwood Road, Stockport, has been jailed for 5 years after being found guilty of raping a sex worker.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely when he appeared at York Crown Court on 6 October 2026.

In October 2024, the defendant arrived at the victim's home address in North Yorkshire after he booked an experience advertised on her website.

The website made it very clear that all customers must wear condoms during the experience.

Before any sexual activity took place, the victim also made it clear that she would only consent to sexual intercourse if a condom was used.

During the encounter, however, the defendant deliberately removed the condom without the victim's knowledge or consent and continued sexual activity. The victim immediately challenged his actions and asked him to leave. She reported the this to the police and Vir Raganit was arrested.

As part of the investigation, officers seized the defendant's mobile phone for forensic examination. Investigators identified material relevant to the case, including videos depicting the non-consensual removal of condoms during sexual activity, a practice commonly referred to as "stealthing". Some of the videos had been viewed shortly before the offence took place.

Vir Raganit was charged with rape but denied the offence throughout police interviews and pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court. However, following a trial in August 2026, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

In her victim personal statement, the victim said:

"It is two years since I was raped at my house. After it happened, I was extremely upset and nervous at first to meet new clients.

"Throughout the four years I had been working from home, I had never had anything like this happen to me before. I normally felt safe in my house, but this incident made me more aware of my safety. I wasn’t sure whether to report it to the police at first, and I wasn’t even sure if it was a sexual assault, but I am glad I reported it now."

She continued: "Even though I knew these investigations take time; I wanted to support the Police all the way to trial. One of the main reasons was that I think it is important to show other people who work in the sex industry that you can report things that happen to you, you will be believed and you can get justice."

Description

A sex offender who exposed himself to a woman on a train then masturbated in front of her has been jailed, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Nisan Fernando Kurukulasuriya, 39, and of Troutbeck Road in Altrincham, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday 15 September. He pleaded guilty to Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency at a previous court hearing.

He was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which will bar him from sitting next to any woman he doesn't know on public transport, and will be on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

The court heard how, on Monday 20 April 2026, Kurukulasuriya was on a train from Stoke to Manchester when he sat next to a woman he didn't know who was on the phone.

He then sexually assaulted her repeatedly, doing so again even after being pushed away by the woman. The woman then noticed that he had exposed himself and was masturbating in front of her.  

She shouted at Kurukulasuriya, who in response stood up and ran away to leave the train. The woman immediately got up to report the incident to staff.

When the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly, the woman went to speak to a member of railway staff. Kurukulasuriya meanwhile was stood only a few meters away, seemingly without a ticket that would let him through the gate line.

The woman told a member of staff at the gateline that Kurukulasuriya had exposed himself to her, and the member of staff immediately contacted BTP.  

Officers quickly attended, speaking to the woman and arresting Kurukulasuriya before taking him to custody. When police interviewed him, Kurukulasuriya showed no remorse for his actions and refused to answer any questions put to him.

BTP Detective Sargeant Mark Haviland said:

"Kurukulasuriya is a despicable man who targeted a woman travelling alone for his own sick sexual gratification. His brazen behaviour was terrifying, and I commend the victim for having the courage to report the incident so that we could take swift action.

"There is no place on the railway network for sexual offending of any kind, so I am pleased to see Kurukulasuriya rightfully jailed for his actions.

"We take every report seriously, and we will always believe you. No report is too small, and if you've been the victim of this offending, you can contact us discreetly by texting 61016 so we can secure justice for you.”

Description

“I hope one day I can feel safe again, trust people again and stop questioning ordinary things. I hope one day I feel like myself again.”

These are the words from a victim of child sex offences in Bradford.

James Eisen aged 53 of Hall Lane, Manchester admitted to four child sex offences in court.

He abused her whilst she was asleep.

At Bradford Crown Court yesterday (21 September) he was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, he was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years and made to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He admitted to two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child and two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.

In a Victim Personal Statement read out in court she said:

“What he did to me has changed me as a person. I often feel like I’m still trying to work out who I am now.

“Before everything happened, I didn’t question myself or the world around me like I do now. If I could make sense of something, I think I could start to move on, but I’ve gone through every possible scenario in my head, and I still can’t understand why someone would do this to another human being.”

DC Alishia Walsh of the Bradford Child Safeguarding Unit said:

“What Eisen did to this young girl as you heard through her own words, has had a profound effect on her life.

“I hope the sentence today can bring her some closure and justice as she starts to rebuild her life.

“Eisen is a danger to children and deserves to be behind bars.

“I hope this case shows that we treat these offences seriously and do get positive outcomes at court.”

Description

A brave woman has spoken about the long-lasting trauma caused by a campaign of abuse at the hands of Elliot Allen Bulman that left her living in fear for both her own life and the safety of her newborn child.

In a Victim Personal Statement, the survivor said:

“I am making this statement to explain to the court the devastating, profound, and ongoing impact that the defendant’s actions have had on my life, my health, and my journey as a mother.

“While the jury finding Elliot guilty of rape, strangulation, threats to kill, assault occasioning ABH, and coercive control validates the living nightmare I endured, no sentence he receives can truly undo the catastrophic damage he has caused.”

The court heard how the woman was subjected to a prolonged and escalating campaign of abuse. There was no sudden moment when the young woman was cut off from her family and friends. Instead, over the course of their relationship, Bulman insidiously stripped away her relationships, one by one, distancing those who cared for her.

The woman continued:

"To ensure I had no lifeline, he executed a calculated campaign of isolation. However, he did not simply cut off every single person at once. Instead, he carefully audited my social circle, identifying specific individuals with whom he deemed surface-level communication was acceptable.

“He permitted just enough contact with them to prevent alarm bellsfrom ringing to the outside world. He used these interactions to parade himself as a loving, attentive, and caring partner, deliberately embedding himself in the centre of my relationships so he could monitor them firsthand.

“Simultaneously, he manufactured conflicts between myself, my family and my friends. By deceptively convincing me that my loved ones did not have my best interests at heart while subtly alienating them from me, he left me entirely marooned in the abusive environment he created.

“He hijacked my private thoughts and external connections by monitoring my phone, reading my messages, and dictating exactly who I could speak to and what I was permitted to say. I was a hostage in my own life, trapped under total surveillance, cut off from genuine support, and condemned to a constant state of walking on eggshells."

Whilst pregnant, Bulman’s control and abuse of the survivor escalated. Unable to attend appointments alone or speak to healthcare professionals in private, the expectant mother was unable to alert those around her to her predicament. Even when hospital staff tried to speak to her alone, Bulman blocked attempts at private conversations from taking place.

Following her discharge from hospital after the birth of her child, the abuse intensified, with the degradation, violence and isolation continuing. The new mother's pain and recovery were disregarded, and she was assaulted while holding her newborn baby.

The survivor continued:

“Elliot chose to perpetrate this horrific abuse and control during what should have been the most sacred, joyful, and protected times of my life: my pregnancy and the newborn stage of my child’s life. Instead of feeling safe, supported, and loved, I was subjected to a perpetual state of terror, hypervigilance, and agonizing physical pain.

“Because I was cut off from truly engaging with my support system, I had no one to lean on during the final stages of my pregnancy or the immediate aftermath of childbirth. My rare interactions with the outside world were forced to be entirely superficial. When my child was born—at a time when a woman is at her most physically and emotionally vulnerable—instead of being allowed to heal and bond with my baby, I was subjected to severe physical, psychological, and sexual violence. The enforced isolation meant I was completely trapped.

“When my child was a few months old, I found the courage to break through the walls of isolation Elliot had built around me and escape. I wholeheartedly believe that if I had not fled on that day, the consequences of remaining would have been fatal.”

The investigation began after police received a report that witnesses had to intervene when Bulman had assaulted the woman in a public place.

As officers took her statement, the young mother bravely disclosed the wider pattern of abuse she had suffered over many months, providing detailed accounts of the physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse she had endured.

Officers secured victim disclosures, witness evidence, photographs of injuries and digital material, building a compelling case against Bulman.

At Bolton Crown Court on Friday 18 September 2026, Elliot Allen Bulman (03/02/2004), of Peel Hall Road, Manchester, was handed an extended sentence of 15 years in custody and given an extended five years on licence after being convicted of five offences, including rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by penetration.

Description

A brave woman has spoken about the long-lasting trauma caused by a campaign of abuse at the hands of Elliot Allen Bulman that left her living in fear for both her own life and the safety of her newborn child.

In a Victim Personal Statement, the survivor said:

“I am making this statement to explain to the court the devastating, profound, and ongoing impact that the defendant’s actions have had on my life, my health, and my journey as a mother.

“While the jury finding Elliot guilty of rape, strangulation, threats to kill, assault occasioning ABH, and coercive control validates the living nightmare I endured, no sentence he receives can truly undo the catastrophic damage he has caused.”

The court heard how the woman was subjected to a prolonged and escalating campaign of abuse. There was no sudden moment when the young woman was cut off from her family and friends. Instead, over the course of their relationship, Bulman insidiously stripped away her relationships, one by one, distancing those who cared for her.

The woman continued:

"To ensure I had no lifeline, he executed a calculated campaign of isolation. However, he did not simply cut off every single person at once. Instead, he carefully audited my social circle, identifying specific individuals with whom he deemed surface-level communication was acceptable.

“He permitted just enough contact with them to prevent alarm bellsfrom ringing to the outside world. He used these interactions to parade himself as a loving, attentive, and caring partner, deliberately embedding himself in the centre of my relationships so he could monitor them firsthand.

“Simultaneously, he manufactured conflicts between myself, my family and my friends. By deceptively convincing me that my loved ones did not have my best interests at heart while subtly alienating them from me, he left me entirely marooned in the abusive environment he created.

“He hijacked my private thoughts and external connections by monitoring my phone, reading my messages, and dictating exactly who I could speak to and what I was permitted to say. I was a hostage in my own life, trapped under total surveillance, cut off from genuine support, and condemned to a constant state of walking on eggshells."

Whilst pregnant, Bulman’s control and abuse of the survivor escalated. Unable to attend appointments alone or speak to healthcare professionals in private, the expectant mother was unable to alert those around her to her predicament. Even when hospital staff tried to speak to her alone, Bulman blocked attempts at private conversations from taking place.

Following her discharge from hospital after the birth of her child, the abuse intensified, with the degradation, violence and isolation continuing. The new mother's pain and recovery were disregarded, and she was assaulted while holding her newborn baby.

The survivor continued:

“Elliot chose to perpetrate this horrific abuse and control during what should have been the most sacred, joyful, and protected times of my life: my pregnancy and the newborn stage of my child’s life. Instead of feeling safe, supported, and loved, I was subjected to a perpetual state of terror, hypervigilance, and agonizing physical pain.

“Because I was cut off from truly engaging with my support system, I had no one to lean on during the final stages of my pregnancy or the immediate aftermath of childbirth. My rare interactions with the outside world were forced to be entirely superficial. When my child was born—at a time when a woman is at her most physically and emotionally vulnerable—instead of being allowed to heal and bond with my baby, I was subjected to severe physical, psychological, and sexual violence. The enforced isolation meant I was completely trapped.

“When my child was a few months old, I found the courage to break through the walls of isolation Elliot had built around me and escape. I wholeheartedly believe that if I had not fled on that day, the consequences of remaining would have been fatal.”

The investigation began after police received a report that witnesses had to intervene when Bulman had assaulted the woman in a public place.

As officers took her statement, the young mother bravely disclosed the wider pattern of abuse she had suffered over many months, providing detailed accounts of the physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse she had endured.

Officers secured victim disclosures, witness evidence, photographs of injuries and digital material, building a compelling case against Bulman.

At Bolton Crown Court on Friday 18 September 2026, Elliot Allen Bulman (03/02/2004), of Peel Hall Road, Manchester, was handed an extended sentence of 15 years in custody and given an extended five years on licence after being convicted of five offences, including rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by penetration.

Bulman must serve a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence before being considered for parole. In addition, he will be subject to a Notification of Requirement to Register with Police indefinitely and is subject to a restraining order to protect the survivor and her immediate family for a minimum of 20 years.

Detective Constable Oliver Seymour from CID from City of Manchester district said:

"I’d like to thank the survivor for her immense bravery and patience whilst going through this process.

“I'd also like to commend her foresight in recording these incidents over a prolonged period and at great personal risk. It was no easy task given the level of control she was subjected to, but she not only made her own escape possible, but she also secured vital evidence that allowed us to bring him before the courts and hold him accountable for what he had done.

“This was an appalling case of domestic abuse involving sustained violence, coercive control and sexual offending. To be subjected to repeated assaults, intimidation and manipulation over a prolonged period, during what should have been one of the happiest times of her life, is simply abhorrent.

"Her courage in reporting these offences and supporting the investigation has been extraordinary. We know how difficult it can be for victims of domestic abuse to come forward, particularly where coercive control has left them isolated from friends and family.

"I hope this outcome provides reassurance that Greater Manchester Police will listen to victims, pursue offenders and work tirelessly to bring those responsible before the courts."

Description

A sex offender who subjected a woman to a terrifying ordeal on a train in Manchester has been jailed within 72 hours thanks to a fast-paced British Transport Police investigation.

Babatunde Odutola, 36, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates Court on Monday 14 September to 44 weeks imprisonment in total after pleading guilty to one charge of Outraging Public Decency and for breaching a suspended sentence order.

The court heard how just three days previously, at around 7pm on Friday 11 September, Odutola approached a woman whilst on a train travelling through Cheshire towards Manchester Piccadilly railway station. He looked her up and down intimidatingly and acted aggressively when she chose not to engage with him.

Odutola then began exposing himself while sat in a wheelchair and masturbating, looking at her and telling her to ‘come over’.

The victim was escorted out of the carriage by a fellow passenger, distressed by the incident. CCTV shows he continued to masturbate as other passengers passed through the carriage, undeterred. Police were called and Odutola was arrested by British Transport Police officers once the train had arrived into Manchester Piccadilly station.

British Transport Police Detective Constable Leonidas Christoforou said:

“Odutola is clearly an incredibly dangerous individual and his disturbing behaviour must have been terrifying for the victim, who he singled out when she was travelling on her own.

“He’s shown little remorse for his actions and denied the allegations against him during his police interview. But a stack of incriminating evidence, including damning CCTV and several witness accounts, left him with little choice but to plead guilty when he appeared in court.

“This was not a one-off from Odutola, who was already a registered sex offender, and this type of alarming, predatory behaviour simply will not be tolerated on our railways.

“Holding vile offenders like him to account is a number one priority for us as a force and we’re tireless in our efforts to bring them to justice.

“If you experience or witness these crimes on the railway, please report it to us by texting 61016. We will always take action.”

Description

A former Greater Manchester Police officer today received a suspended sentence after being found guilty of a string of online child sex offences.

Michael Aspinall, 35, of Salford, Manchester, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today (Monday 14 September) after being found guilty of three counts of attempting sexual communication with a child following a trial in July.

Aspinall, who was employed by Greater Manchester Police at the time of the offences, was arrested in October 2024 by detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU). He was immediately suspended from duty following his arrest.

Prior to sentencing, Aspinall had already submitted his resignation from Greater Manchester Police.

The investigation began after evidence was obtained that Aspinall had been communicating online with individuals he believed to be children. He was in fact communicating with a police officer. Following an investigation, he was charged with various offences.

In addition to his eight-month sentence, which has been suspended for two years, Aspinall will be on the sex offender’s register for 10 years, subject to a five-year serious crime prevention order, and undertake 20 days of rehabilitation.

An Accelerated Misconduct hearing held by GMP last week found that had he still been serving, he would have been dismissed without notice. He was additionally added to the College of Policing’s barred list.

An application to request forfeiture of Aspinall’s police pension has been made to the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Humphreys, from our Professional Standards Directorate, said: 

“Aspinall’s offending was clearly unacceptable for any right-minded member of society and particularly inappropriate for a serving police officer.

“His actions put the whole police service under scrutiny, but thanks to the hard work and diligence of undercover officers, he was arrested, found guilty, and has now received his punishment.

“A misconduct panel by GMP found that he would have been dismissed had he still been serving – his actions take away from the hard work of the men and women who work so hard for their communities every day, and it is only right that anyone committing these sort of offences are rooted out.”

Description

A registered sex offender has been convicted of sexually communicating with a child following a complex joint investigation by our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT), Digital Forensic Investigation Unit (DFIU) and Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU).

James Davidson (17/05/1966) of Stockport was sentenced to two years and seven months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today (Tuesday 8 September 2026) after pleading guilty to 25 breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and one count of sexual communication with a child yesterday (Monday 7 September).

Davidson will have his SHPO extended alongside his Sex Offender Registration Requirements by another 10 years.

He was previously jailed for two years in 2020 for offences including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming, and attempting to cause a child under 16 to watch a sexual act. Following his release from prison, Davidson was managed by GMP's Sex Offender Management Unit.

In March 2025, officers from SOMU executed a warrant at Davidson's address after receiving information that he may have breached the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

During a search of the property, officers located several electronic devices which Davidson had failed to declare, placing him in breach of both his SHPO and sex offender registration requirements.

Davidson was charged and remanded in custody for these offences before later being granted bail by the courts pending further proceedings.

The devices seized were submitted to GMP's Digital Forensic Investigation Unit for examination. Investigators faced a significant challenge due to the volume of devices recovered and Davidson's refusal to provide passwords and access credentials, which itself constituted a further breach of his SHPO.

Despite these obstacles, forensic specialists successfully decrypted the devices and conducted a detailed examination, uncovering a substantial amount of digital evidence.

Investigators discovered Davidson had been communicating online with multiple girls while using aliases and falsely presenting himself as a 17-year-old boy.

Further enquiries identified a child victim who had been targeted by Davidson. Messages recovered by investigators showed Davidson discussing his desire to have sex with the child.

After being informed the victim was only aged 14, Davidson stated that he ‘didn't care about the age’ and went on to describe his sexual desires in explicit detail.

The victim was identified and safeguarded with specialist support put in place. The child provided evidence which helped investigators build a strong case against Davidson.

In June 2025, Davidson was arrested on suspicion of sexual communication with a child. A further search of his address uncovered additional undeclared devices, resulting in further breaches of his SHPO.

Davidson was subsequently charged and remanded into custody. He remained in custody throughout these proceedings.

Although Davidson initially denied the offence of sexual communication with a child and elected for a trial, he changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to commence on Monday 7 September.

Detective Constable Katy Shadwell, of our Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

"Davidson is a predatory offender who repeatedly ignored court orders designed to protect children and reduce the risk he posed to the public.

"This investigation demonstrates the determination of our officers and staff to identify and safeguard vulnerable children, regardless of the lengths offenders go to in order to conceal their activity.

"This sentencing is the result of outstanding teamwork in GMP, whose combined efforts uncovered overwhelming evidence of Davidson's offending and ensured he was brought before the courts.

"I would also like to commend the courage of the child victim, whose support and assistance played a vital role in securing this conviction."

Description

A man who subjected four women to years of sustained abuse, sexual violence, and coercive control has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years.

Jacob Berry (18/10/1991), of Brierley Road East, Swinton, was convicted of seven counts of rape, four counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault by penetration, following a trial at Manchester Crown Court earlier this year.

The court heard how Berry abused, controlled, intimidated and sexually assaulted four women between 2018 and 2025.

The investigation began in April 2025 following a report from a concerned member of the public who witnessed a woman being assaulted by a man inside a vehicle.

When officers initially spoke with the victim, she was intimidated of Berry and reluctant to disclose the full extent of his offending. Evidence of some of Berry's behaviour later came to light after incidents were broadcast online.

The report prompted a wider investigation by Greater Manchester Police, leading to Berry's arrest. As enquiries progressed, detectives contacted three other women known to Berry, uncovering the full extent of his offending over a number of years.

Between 2018 and 2020, Berry subjected another victim to repeated acts of serious physical and sexual abuse. The court heard how he spat at her, strangled her, extinguished a cigarette on her face, and assaulted her on numerous occasions. During one attack, he broke her nose, requiring surgery.

The victim was also subjected to multiple rapes, which the court heard were particularly degrading and humiliating in nature.

In 2020, Berry raped a further victim after a party. The woman later learned from another individual that a drink Berry had given her may have been spiked. Despite attempting to resist him, Berry continued to force himself upon her.

Following the attack, Berry manipulated his way into the woman's life. During that time, he subjected her to a sustained campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour designed to isolate, intimidate and terrorise her.

The court heard how Berry spat at, bit and assaulted the woman. On one occasion he stood on her neck and forced her to remove her clothing because he believed she was concealing mobile phone SIM cards. The abuse culminated in a violent incident during which the woman's elderly grandmother attempted to intervene and was knocked into a wall.

Following this, Berry met another woman in 2022. She later disclosed to detectives the extent of the abuse she had suffered.

Berry displayed aggressive and controlling behaviour towards both the woman and her children. He took her money, damaged her property and made threats to distribute intimate and degrading images of her. He repeatedly accused her of possessing a secret mobile phone that did not exist and, on one occasion, threatened to burn down her home.

As part of his ongoing campaign of abuse and control, Berry also subjected the woman to repeated acts of serious sexual violence.

All four women provided comprehensive accounts to detectives and demonstrated considerable courage throughout the investigation and subsequent court proceedings, ultimately contributing to Berry's conviction.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Berry was made subject to lifetime restraining orders to protect his victims.

Detective Sergeant Stacey Nolan, of Greater Manchester Police, said:

"Berry systematically abused, controlled and terrorised these women, leaving lasting emotional and psychological trauma. It is difficult to comprehend the ordeal each of them endured at his hands.

"Throughout this investigation, the victims demonstrated immense courage and resilience in coming forward and speaking about their experiences. I hope today's sentence provides them and their loved ones with a measure of justice and closure.

"Their bravery has been instrumental in securing this conviction, and Berry is now rightfully behind bars, where he can no longer manipulate, control or abuse any more women.

"This has been a lengthy and complex investigation, requiring the meticulous examination of a substantial volume of evidence. Through the relentless efforts of numerous officers and staff, a dangerous sexual offender has now been brought to justice.

"I would urge anyone experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, controlling or coercive behaviour to come forward and speak to police. Preventing violence against women and girls and domestic abuse remains a priority for Greater Manchester Police, and we are committed to providing victims with the support, protection and assistance they need."

Description

A man who strangled and raped a woman in Crewe has been jailed.

Fikadu Yemane was sentenced to eight years imprisonment at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 27 August following a ten-day trial, in which he was found guilty of one count of rape and intentional strangulation.

Yemane, who is of Castleton Walk, Manchester, but originally from Eritrea, was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offender’s Register indefinitely.

The case began on 16 July 2025 when the 29-year-old met the victim, a 19-year-old woman, in Manchester after arranging to meet via social media. The pair were known to each other and had agreed to travel to an address in Crewe alongside another man on the day of the offence.

At the address in Crewe, Yemane waited until it was just him and the victim alone in the property before forcing her into a bedroom, removing her clothing and going on to rape her. During the assault, he put his hand over the victim’s mouth and strangled her to the point that she nearly passed out, with visible marks being left on her neck as a result.

The second man later returned and pulled the 29-year-old off the victim, allowing her to escape and to call for help.

Yemane fled the scene on foot before officers arrived who quickly located and safeguarded the victim – he remained on the run for six days before being located and arrested in Manchester.

During this period, Yemane made active attempts to cover his tracks and evade police by changing the SD card in his phone.

In interview, Yemane told officers that, despite not engaging in sex, everything that had occurred between him and the victim had been consensual.

Enquiries at the address where the offence occurred had resulted in a condom with traces of both Yemane’s and the victim’s DNA being recovered in a wheelie bin. The victims’ underwear was also located in the same bin.

Detective Constable Jaymie Johnson said:

“Fikadu Yemane’s behaviour was downright predatory. He took advantage of a vulnerable victim, who thought she was with someone she could trust, before going on to rape her and cause her serious injury when she bravely fought back against him.

“Even when he was faced with evidence that directly linked him to the crime, that he had made active attempts to dispose of, Yemane caused further suffering to victim by forcing her to relive the ordeal all over again during his subsequent ten-day trail.

“With that in mind, I am glad that the jury have reached a guilty verdict on both counts and Yemane has been handed a significant custodial sentence. I do hope that now this case has reached its conclusion, the victim can be provided with a much-needed sense of closure and can begin to move forward with her life, knowing justice has been secured and her attacker has been held to account. I commend her for her bravery throughout the entire investigation.

“Even upon Yemane’s eventual release from custody, he will remain the subject of the Sex Offender’s Register, meaning he will be monitored by specialist officers for the remainder of his life, ensuring that he never causes harm to another person.”

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a 16-year-old girl, as well as brutally assaulting her during a period of six weeks last year.

Callan Hennessey (24/12/03), of Ferndene Road, Manchester, has been jailed for nine-and-a-half-years after pleading guilty to assault, strangulation, the creation of indecent images, and a further assault. He was found guilty of one count of rape.

He received his sentence today (27 August) at Manchester Crown Court.

The investigation began in April 2025, when a relative of the victim of Hennessey contacted the police, after the girl, then 16, had attended hospital with injuries including two black eyes, bleeding to her ear, a swollen jaw and other abrasions to her head and face.

Following extensive enquiries over the following weeks, which also saw Hennessey arrested, officers found that he had assaulted and raped the girl, with her injuries drawing the attention of family members.

When officers attended an address on 8 April 2025, officers discovered bedsheets covered in his victim’s blood. Hennessey was also seen to have himself had blood on him by a relative following the incident.

Hennessey plead guilty to assault and strangulation, while being found guilty of rape following a trial. The rape occurred several weeks before the assault in April.

He will also now be subject to an indefinite restraining order and will be placed on the sex offender's register for life.

Hennessey’s victim has supported the investigation throughout and bravely told officers about the crimes inflicted on her.

Detective Constable James Carter, from GMP’s City of Manchester CID, said: 

“Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victim in this case – this is something no-one should ever have to go through and her bravery and resilience has been remarkable.

“Hennessey violently attacked someone who is several years younger than him - a child - leaving her in a bloodied and terrified state following the incident. His vile actions, including rape and strangulation, now mean he is rightfully behind bars where he belongs.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of any similar crimes to please get in touch – we will do what we can to help you and work to get you the justice you deserve.”

Description

Marley Murray (23/06/2007), of Cotefield Road, Manchester, has been sentenced following a series of violent and sexual offences committed against a 16-year-old girl over a period of several months in 2025.

Thanks to the immense bravery and support from the survivor, Murray has been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to six years in prison after he was convicted of rape, threats to kill and three counts of common assault. He was also handed a 10-year restraining order and has been placed on the sex offenders' register.

She first reported in March 2025, where the survivor recalls during an argument, Murray grabbed her by the throat, restricting her breathing, and struck her head repeatedly.

In June 2025, Murray subjected her to prolonged violence in her home. Murray verbally abused her and damaged her personal items. Murray raped the victim, ignoring her repeated refusals. 

The horrific display of abuse continued into July 2025, when Murray was once again violent with the victim at his address in Wythenshawe. He made threats to kill the victim whilst holding a knife, and physically assaulted her, causing visible injuries. 

Following this assault, the survivor managed to contact police covertly and escape the address.

In a statement shared with the court, the victim said:

"Marley was capable of ruining everything, he would ring me constantly accusing me of seeing other people.

"Every time I would go to sleep, I would have flash backs of everything the moment I close my eyes.

"I still have these flashbacks now of what he did to me, specifically I still have flash backs of the rape.

"I was used to Marley hitting me, it got to a point where it didn’t bother me because I was used to that, but being raped has impacted me differently.

"I always think the worst in a situation because of the trauma he’s put me through.

"I now am trying to rebuild my life."

Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt from Rochdale Police says:

"It is crucial to acknowledge the bravery and resilience demonstrated by the survivor in this case.

"Murray's utter disregard for his actions and continued attempts to contact, hurt, and abuse the victim highlights the importance of this sentencing.

"Her courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation has been instrumental in securing justice and ensuring the safety of others.

"Operation Soteria underscores the importance of victim-focused approaches and collaborative efforts between police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and support services to enhance the criminal justice response to such heinous crimes.

"The survivor's bravery not only highlights the personal strength required to confront such trauma but also serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment for other victims.

"It is through initiatives like Operation Soteria that we strive to create a more supportive and responsive environment for survivors, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences validated.

"I urge anyone who might have experienced anything similar to please come forward and report. You will always be listened to and supported."

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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.

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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.”