Latest news with #CheethamHill
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Telegraph
Koran tutor sexually assaulted ‘young Muslim girls' he was hired to teach
A private teacher sexually assaulted young girls over a 10-year period while tutoring his victims in maths and to learn the Koran. Umair Iqbal, 38, regularly attended the homes of five women and girls aged between eight and 18 to conduct scheduled lessons. He was jailed for 11 years at Manchester Crown Court after being convicted by a jury of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault. Iqbal, from Cheetham Hill, must also serve three years on licence after his release and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining orders for his victims and their families. Police first launched inquiries in October 2020 when a 15-year-old victim came forward, after years of believing the abuse was her own fault. Abuse of power A subsequent investigation revealed four more victims, including one girl who had been abused from the age of eight. Det Con Alex Dodd, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) 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.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Private tutor who molested Muslim girls as young as eight while he taught them about the Koran at their homes is jailed for 14 years after victim, 15, spoke up
A paedophile private tutor who molested Muslim girls in their homes while he taught them about the Koran has been jailed after one of his victim's bravely spoke out. Umair Iqbal, 38, preyed on the girls, aged between eight and 18, over a 10-year period while tutoring his victims in maths and to learn the Koran. The bespectacled predator regularly attended the homes of the youngsters to carry out lessons - before going on to sexually assault his pupils. His reign of terror only came to an end when one of victims, aged just 15, courageously reported his warped behaviour to police after years of abuse. Iqbal, of Cheetham Hill, Manchester, has now been sentenced to 14 years, 11 of which will be served in prison, with three years on licence after his release He was sentenced on Thursday at Manchester Crown Court following a four-week trial last month when he was convicted by a jury of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault. Police first launched inquiries in October 2020 when a 15-year-old victim came forward, after years of believing the abuse was her own fault. A subsequent investigation revealed four more victims, including one girl who had been abused from the age of eight. Detective Constable Alex Dodd, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) 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.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Three men charged and another arrested after hundreds of thousand of pills found
Three men have been charged and another has been arrested after hundreds of thousands of pills were found by police during a raid. The discovery was made a during raid at an industrial unit in Cheetham Hill and resulted in two men, aged 54 and 59, being arrested. Greater Manchester Police said their Serious and Organised Crime division raided an address on Stanley Street on Monday (August 4). They found several hundred thousand pills, believed to be illicit prescription medications such as pregabalin and diazepam, GMP said. READ MORE: Three men arrested after cocaine, cannabis and £6,000 of cash seized READ MORE: 'Enough is enough' - Manchester United supporters group announce protest for Arsenal fixture Further arrests were made after searches at properties in Cheadle, Chorlton and Ashton where £100,000 in cash, a number of 'high value' watches and vehicles said to be worth £250,000 were seized. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here A 54-year-old man was arrested at an address in Ashton on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class C drugs and money laundering. A 43-year-old woman who was arrested on Tuesday (August 5) on suspicion of money laundering has now been bailed. The force has confirmed that three men have now been charged. A 31-year-old man in Withington has also been arrested. Mohammed Ali (18/09/1970) of Bowmont Close, Cheadle, Adam Ali (21/05/1966) of York Road, Manchester, and Mohammed Butt (08/02/1980) of Freemantle Avenue, Manchester, have been charged with possession with intent to supply Class C drugs, conspiracy to supply Class C drugs and possession of criminal property. They have been remanded into custody to appear in Tameside Magistrates Court today (August 6). Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE The 31-year-old man who was arrested in Withington on suspicion of drug offences remains in custody. A woman is also being voluntarily interviewed in connection to this investigation. The 43-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of money laundering has been bailed whilst enquiries continue. GMP says it is continuing to disrupt and tackle the sale of drugs, including counterfeit prescription medications, across the region.
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
More than 100k prescription tablets seized in Cheetham Hill raid
Two men have been arrested after "several hundred thousand" illicit prescription drugs were seized from an industrial and pregabalin, which are used to treat anxiety and epilepsy, were discovered in a raid on Stanley Street, Cheetham Hill, Greater Manchester Police also recovered about £100,000 in cash and several high value watches and vehicles worth £250,000 in further searches at properties in Cheadle, Chorlton and men, aged 54 and 59, have been held on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and money laundering and remain in custody for questioning. Det Supt Joe Harrop said: "We see first hand the devastating effects these substances have on not only individuals but the wider community."By taking this action, we are driving down crime, but also protecting vulnerable people turning to unsafe sources to get access to what they believe are prescription medications."Last year, a BBC North West investigation found evidence of dealers using encrypted messaging apps to sell pregabalin pills for less than £1. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
Manchester dad's trauma after 'losing £2,000 in house rent scam'
A father who was only days away from moving into his new house has described his horror at discovering other people were already living Achianu, 43, said he thought he had found the perfect three-bedroomed place on Gumtree to rent for himself and his three children in the Cheetham Hill area of mental health nurse said he went for a viewing on 19 June with a woman who claimed to be the property's owner, signed a tenancy agreement to move in on 1 July and paid a £1,000 deposit and the same again in advance Achianu told the BBC he had reported the scam to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and then Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting centre. 'Really panicking' He said he had been looking for a new place so that his children could stay Achianu said he had been slightly suspicious during the viewing because the white sheets and towels on the bed reminded him of a short-term let, and he was told council tax was included in the those misgivings he said he agreed to rent the house."When you are desperate you don't really think properly," he told BBC Radio the scammer claiming others were interested in the house, Mr Achianu said he paid her £2,000 and arranged to do an inventory checklist a couple of days she stopped replying to his texts and calls, though, he said he felt concerned and decided to visit the house."Lo and behold I saw people in the property," said the father-of-three. "I was really panicking at that point."He said one of the residents told him she had booked the property through Achianu said he again tried in vain to contact the "owner".When he later received a text to say the inventory check was still on, though, he said it "was like a sigh of relief".But that meeting was cancelled at the last minute by the woman, he prospective tenant headed back to the house and saw it was still told him its owners had started letting the house out on various websites after they moved out. 'Trauma' He checked online and found the house being advertised."I knew then it was scam," said Mr Achianu, who added that "the trauma has put [me] off looking for somewhere else - I don't trust anyone anymore".Mr Achianu said he was still in the same accommodation where his children are unable to stay over.A spokesperson for Gumtree UK said: "The safety of our users is our absolute priority, and we do not tolerate fraudulent activity on our platform. "We require that property ads on our site comply with government regulations for property advertising, and we list prominent safety advice for prospective tenants on our website, which recommends that all potential tenants check the relevant paperwork, ask to see proof of ownership, and ensure a tenancy agreement is in place before paying deposits or holding fees."We strongly urge anyone who thinks they may have come across a scam or experiences suspicious behaviour to report it to us immediately via the Report button. "Our dedicated trust and safety team will investigate and take necessary action, such as removing adverts and blocking offending users, and supporting law enforcement in their investigations."Airbnb said: "While to our best knowledge this was not reported to us at the time, as part of our investigation we have removed an individual from the platform."GMP confirmed it had received a report of fraud, with the alleged victim being referred to Action Webb, acting director of Action Fraud, said the report was being assessed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) at the City of London Police. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
