Locations
Lecester Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M8
Description
Following a four-week trial in July this year, a man has been sentenced to 14 years – 11 of those in prison, of which he must serve two-thirds, with a further three on extended license, at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday 7 August 2025.
He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining orders for all victims and their families.
Umair Iqbal (28/11/1987), of Lecester Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, a private Quran and maths tutor was found guilty of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault against five children and adults aged eight - 18 years of age. The offences, including sexual assault of a child, took place over a ten-year period between 2010 - 2020 when Iqbal regularly attended the homes of the young women and girls to conduct his scheduled lessons.
Primary inquiries into Mr Iqbal began in October 2020 when the first account of sexual abuse was reported to GMP by a victim who was 15 years old at the time.
After years of believing the abuse was a fault of her own, the victim found the courage to inform her family and then the police.
A subsequent investigation into Mr Iqbal’s actions by Rochdale’s multi-agency safeguarding team, known then as the sunrise team, soon revealed the extent of his abusive behaviour, unearthing a further four victims, including a victim who had been abused from the age of eight years old.
Rochdale’s Detective Constable Alex Dodd who lead the case said:
Rochdale’s Detective Constable Alex Dodd who lead the case said: “All five victims were young Muslim girls from good families, abused by a person in a position of trust and silenced through fear of getting in trouble or being blamed for the abuse. Iqbal befriended families and used the good reputation of a community to hide behind his sordid sexual agenda.
"Securing justice for these victims is a positive outcome for Rochdale’s complex safeguarding team. The multi-agency work we do in Rochdale is a collaborative force for good.
"It involves GMP officers, children’s services, youth workers, social workers, health professionals, housing officers and public protection services, all working together to investigate child sexual exploitation (CSE), safeguard victims, uncover the truth and bring offenders to justice.
"I would like to recognise and thank all five victims and their families for their determination during the lengthy investigation and four-week trial, which was a distressing process for them.
"We encourage anyone who feels they may have been subjected to Mr Iqbal’s behaviour to come forward and report it on 101 quoting ‘Operation Ganister.’"