A 51-year-old male has been convicted after police officers saw him taking illicit photos of hundreds of women during the Manchester Pride Parade.
Andrew Smoggie has been charged with a breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
He had been pretending to make phone calls during the busy event in the city centre on Saturday 27 August, but two plain-clothes Project Servator officers noticed his screen was on camera mode.
Smoggie was challenged, and it emerged that he was a registered sex offender whose SHPO prevented him from taking photos of female strangers in public spaces.
Hundreds of photos of women, many taken at the Pride Parade, were found on his phone.
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Smoggie, of Thelwall Lane in Warrington, was remanded in police custody and on Monday 29 August pleaded guilty at Manchester & Salford Magistrates court.
A statement from GMP said: “Every year in Greater Manchester, hundreds of sex offenders are put behind bars following comprehensive investigations by our officers and detectives across GMP committed to getting justice for survivors.
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“We’re continuing to do all we can to protect the public from harm and sexual offending – whether it be in the real world or the digital world – by safeguarding and supporting survivors, and target and prosecute offenders.
“All our officers tackling sexual abuse will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to use the extent of the necessary legislation so that all available powers are used to ensure offenders are preventing from harming again – and, if they do, we can work with partners agencies to take them off the streets.
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“If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.”
You can find support at:
Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Saint Mary’s SARC in Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages.
Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis
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Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives.
Survivors provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation.
Call 0161 236 2182
Featured image: Unsplash
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Parts of ‘extremely busy’ road into Manchester city centre to close for improvement works from this week
Emily Sergeant
Lane closures will be in place on an “extremely busy” road into Manchester city centre from this week, it has been confirmed.
As part of the ‘Streets For All’ programme being carried out across the city and wider Manchester borough by Manchester City Council, several road improvements are set to be introduced in Oldham Road between Bengal Street and Portland Street – which is just north of the city centre, and described as being “well-used” by the public.
The Council has confirmed that the project to improve the roads and footpaths along the “key road” in the Ancoats area is expected to begin today (13 May).
The first phase of the project starting from today will take up to three weeks to complete.
Some of the improvement works being carried out from today include the improving the safety of cycleways, improving crossings and footpaths across Oldham Road to provide additional safety to any pedestrians crossing, and the installing of new traffic signals at the junction of Oldham Road and Radium Street.
Single lane closures on both carriageways of Oldham Road, between Bengal Street and Poland Street, will be in place from this week while the first phase of the project is carried out.
Manchester City Council says it’s working with its partners to “minimise disruption” as best as possible, but is still advising that people plan their journeys ahead of time.
“As part of our ongoing work across the city, we are looking at ways to make journeys safer for all our residents and improve transport links along key transport arteries,” explained Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council, ahead of the works commencing this week.
“The Oldham Road corridor is an extremely busy and well-used stretch of road, providing a link to Ancoats and the city centre, which is why it’s important that this work takes place.
“Updates will be provided as the work progresses, and as ever I’d advise people to plan their journey in advance to make sure any disruption can be minimised.”
According to the Council, the improvement scheme is expected to be completed by this autumn.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse cancels PVRIS gig at last minute as water pours through ceiling
Daisy Jackson
The O2 Victoria Warehouse has had to turn away PVRIS gig-goers as doors opened after the thunderstorms across Manchester proved too much for the venue’s roof.
Thousands were excitedly heading to the huge music venue to see American pop-rockers PVRIS perform.
But the band’s gig has now been postponed, with the news announced after the official door opening time.
PVRIS said that the cancellation was caused by a ‘massive leak in the venue’s ceiling’ and shared a video of the hall with pools of water on the floor.
Fans who were already inside the O2 Victoria Warehouse have shared videos of water pouring through the roof inside.
Many said that they were being turned away before either the band or the venue had issued an update.
O2 Victoria Warehouse posted: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight’s performance at O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester with #PVRIS – Sun 12 May 2024 – is postponed.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and all customers are advised to retain tickets until further notice.”
PVRIS has said: “We are so sorry to have to cancel the show tonight due to a massive leak in the venue’s ceiling causing flooding right before doors.
“We’ve tried everything we could to find an alternative to still perform for you all tonight but due to circumstances beyond our control there is unfortunately no options for the show to go ahead.
“We were looking forward to our first gig back in the UK and to spend it with you & we are just as disappointed but everyone’s safety is #1 priority.
“We are doing our best to find a way to reschedule this show ASAP.
“More info coming as soon we know more, we are in the dark just as much you are about the situation.”