Crime

Former doctor jailed for sexually assaulting patients in his care in Wigan

The incidents took place between 2019 and 2020.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 28th July 2025

A former doctor has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually assaulting patients in his care in Wigan.

Vijay Gaikwad, from the Lowton area of Wigan, appeared at Bolton Crown Court last week, and was convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault following a thorough investigation by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), alongside the ‘courageous’ testimonies of the victims.

The 44-year-old psychiatrist was found guilty of sexually assaulting three patients under his care.

The offences, according to GMP and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), occurred during medical appointments between 2019 and 2020 made to discuss their mental health and ongoing medication, where Gaikwad exploited his position of trust to inappropriately touch the victims.

In each appointment, Gaikwad suggested that he needed to carry out a physical examination of the women.

During the examination, he touched and squeezed their breasts, despite there being no medical need for him to do so.

In his police interviews, Gaikwad denied carrying out physical examinations of the women’s breasts, and further denied sexually assaulting his patients.

Gaikwad was sentenced to six years in prison last week.

“As a Doctor, Vijay Gaikwad was trusted by his patients,” commented Gill Petrovic, who is the Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West.

“He abused that trust by sexually assaulting three patients in his care. Gaikwad’s sickening actions have had a profound impact on the women who came to him for help. One woman told police that she had self-harmed after this incident because it had upset her so much.

“Gaikwad failed to take responsibility for his actions, making them relive their abuse at trial.”

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Detective Constable Lucy Page added: “Gaikwad abused his position of trust in the most egregious manner, and today’s outcome reflects the seriousness of his actions. This sentencing will provide some sense of justice for the victims.”

Featured Image – GMP

Crime

Man found guilty of ‘praying on’ and raping drunk people in Manchester city centre

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Sid Ali Djelid mugshot

A local man has been found guilty of ‘praying on’ and raping several drunk people in Manchester city centre.

Sid Ali Djelid – also known under the alias of Mourad Malki – appeared at Manchester Crown Court this week and was found guilty following a five-week trail, where the court heard how the series of rapes took place between February and July 2024, and how the 39-year-old would ‘pray on’ and attack intoxicated victims in the city centre.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the first of the three attacks occurred in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 18 February 2024.

CCTV footage shows Djelid – who is believed to be an Algerian nation, according to GMP – leading his female victim down a secluded back street near China Town, before raping her and stealing her mobile phone and making off. 

His second crime was committed on Wednesday 12 June 2024 with a victim who was visiting Manchester with work.

Djelid approached the victim outside a bar on Canal Street, and after chatting, walked him to a remote location close to Richmond Street and raped him.

Djelid’s final attack was on 18 July 2024, where he approached his male victim – again, who was visiting Manchester – and offered to assist him back to his hotel as he was lost, but while Djelid may have appeared as a concerned good Samaritan at first, he then led the victim to a secluded area of the canal at Jutland Street and raped him.

Similar to first incident, on the second two incidents, Djelid took the victims’ phones and wallets, and then pushed them to the ground before making his escape.

Police arrested Djelid three days later on Sunday 21 July 2024.

“Sid Ali Djelid is a serial sex offender who posed serious danger to both men and women – carrying out his horrifying crimes in one of the most celebrated and historic nightlife hotspots in the country,” commented Rebekah Tomlinson, who is the District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West.

“The way he targeted lone individuals who he believed would be vulnerable was both calculating and insidious.

“Canal Street holds a special place in the heritage of Manchester and the LGBTQ+ community, and those on a night out have the right to enjoy themselves free from the fear of abuse and attack.

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“Djelid’s crimes will doubtless leave a lasting impact on the victims, and my deepest thanks goes to them for supporting this prosecution, as without their evidence, this dangerous man would still be in our community.”

Featured Image – GMP

Crime

Police appeal after teen was killed in collision between car and e-bike in Middleton

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Rowrah Crescent

Police have issued a public appeal for information after a teenage boy was killed in a collision between a car and an e-bike.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, at around 11:55am on Monday 21 July, officers responded to reports of a collision on Rowrah Crescent in the Middleton area, and emergency services immediately attended – but despite their best efforts, a 15-year-old boy was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation has been launched following the distressing incident, and police are are working to establish the full circumstances.

A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in custody for questioning at this time.

Boy riding a bike
Police are appealing after a teenager was killed in a collision between a car and an e-bike in Middleton / Credit: GMP | Pxfuel

Police are also investigating allegations of a theft in the events leading up to collision, and another boy, also aged 15, has been arrested on suspicion of theft as part of that ongoing work.

 “This terrible incident has seen the death of a teenage boy, and we are working hard to establish the full facts of this case, in what is the very early stages of an investigation,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Dean, from GMP’s Rochdale district.

“A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and will be questioned in due course.

“While officers are already in place to support the family of the boy who has died today, I want to remind people that at the heart of this is a grieving family, and I would ask the community to not speculate on social media while we piece together the events of earlier today.”

Rowrah Crescent
Rowrah Crescent in Middleton, where the collision happened / Credit: Google Maps

A scene remains in place on Rowrah Crescent, and GMP says officers will be able to assist any locals with queries or concerns they may have.

Now that the investigation is ongoing, police are now appealing to the public for information – with DCI Dean adding: “As our work progresses, I would ask anyone with information to please come forward – whether you witnessed anything, or have any dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage from the area.”

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Any information or footage can be submitted by contacting GMP via 101, or on the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1364 of 22/07/25.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Google Maps

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