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Former supply teacher charged with child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester

The offences include upskirting and making AI-generated images.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th May 2026

A former supply teacher has been charged with a number of child sex offences, including upskirting in schools across Greater Manchester.

Abusali Rahman, a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford, is remanded in custody after being charged with offences including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Thirteen girls have been identified – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).

All affected schools and the parents of the 13 identified girls have been informed, GMP has confirmed, and all necessary safeguarding personnel have been made aware of the ongoing investigation – with specialist support on offer to them throughout this case.

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GMP police car
A former supply teacher has been charged with child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP

Rahman has not worked in schools since he was arrested in June 2025, after a concern was raised by a parent about an image of their child in school uniform being circulated by a social media account.

The discovery of further images prompted an upskirting investigation by GMP’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT), and a ‘significant’ amount of specialist and sensitive work has since gone into trying to identify girls.

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Rahman was charged and appeared at Wigan Magistrates’ Court last month (April 2026), before being remanded into custody and set to appear again at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday 28 May.

By law, alleged victims of sexual offences have a lifelong right to anonymity, and GMP therefore asks that people respect their privacy and protect the integrity of the case by not speculating or commenting on it, either in person or online.

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“I understand the concern and upset that will come with this news,” commented Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, head of GMP’s Public Protection Division.

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“It is so important that everyone refrains from speculation as this is an active case where the girls affected have a right to lifelong anonymity and the defendant has a right to a fair trial. The last thing that needed now is speculation around this case – if you know something, please report it directly to us.”

Featured Image – MChe Lee (via Unsplash)

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Manchester City ‘strongly condemn’ racist abuse towards first-team players at Everton

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man City statement on racist abuse Everton game

Manchester City Football Club have released a statement following yet more troubling racist abuse in the Premier League this May bank holiday.

Pep Guardiola’s side faced Everton in a fixture that ended in a 3-3 draw, which could prove pivotal in their pursuit of leaders Arsenal.

Sadly, however, one of the main stories to be taken from the game once again revolves around abuse and discrimination.

Match officials were quickly made aware of racial remarks directed at winger Antoine Semenyo on the day, and, unfortunately, defender Marc Guehi has also been the subject of hateful messaging online in the aftermath of the result.

Sharing a short, but simple and emphatic statement, the club wrote: “Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse directed towards Antoine Semenyo at yesterday’s match.

“We welcome the swift action taken by Everton and the police to identify the individual responsible.

“We are also incredibly disappointed to hear that Marc Guéhi was subject to a series of vile racist social media posts last night.”

They go on to add that they will “continue to offer our full support to both Antoine and Marc and never accept discrimination of any kind in our game.”

Everton themselves have since confirmed that local authorities swiftly identified at least one individual alleged to be responsible for the unacceptable behaviour.

As mentioned in their own post, the culprit is said to have been a 71-year-old man who was quickly flagged by fans and stewards inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

While this may be the first incident reported at the Toffees’ new home ground, regrettably, it’s just the latest in a long line of similar cases raised not just in English football but the top flight, specifically.

Although the Prem has recently reflected on its No Room For Racism campaign five years on from its most recent ‘action plan’, it’s clear that there is still a lot of work to be done.

It goes without saying that we’re sorry to hear that stuff like this is still happening, and we send our strength to all those who continue to be affected by this despicable treatment.

As ever, ‘the beautiful game’ is for everyone and racism has no place in society, let alone football – kick it out once and for all. In other news surrounding Man City, there’s also been some controversy surrounding their upcoming FA Youth Cup final.

Manchester City turn down Old Trafford offer for FA Youth Cup final in favour of Joie Stadium

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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Manchester ‘institution’ Topkapi Palace quietly closes Deansgate restaurant after 47 years

Danny Jones Danny Jones Topkapi Manchester closed down Deansgate restaurant and takeaway

After the best part of half a century, local institution Topkapi Palace looks to have quietly closed the doors to its Manchester restaurant.

Founded way back in 1969, Topkapi has been a mainstay of the Deansgate strip longer than most other venues in the area, but many have noticed that it hasn’t been open for a little while now.

After plenty of speculation online, it now appears to have shut down for the foreseeable future.

It remains to be seen whether or not this is a permanent culinary casualty, but judging by the paper signs now displayed in the windows, things don’t look promising for the Turkish grill.

topkapi palace closed manchester
wilson and roe mcr
Credit: The Manc Eats

As posted in the shopfront of the restaurant, an update from Wilson and Doe High Court Enforcement says: “Under the terms of the demised lease, we, as authorised agents on behalf of the landlord, have to this day re-entered the premises known as Topkapi Palace…”

It also warns that any attempts to enter the building will result in criminal or civil proceedings.

The statement goes on to read: “Acting as agents for the Involuntary Bailee, we give notice to any third party who asserts ownership of the Goods to which this notice relates:

  1. The goods identified at Topkapi Palace (Part Ground Floor and Basement), 205, 206 and 209 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3NW are being held at the Property.
  2. The Goods are ready for collection immediately, and this is a notice of your obligation to take delivery of the Goods at a mutually convenient time to be agreed and arranged with the Involuntary Bailee’s agents
  3. Unless the Goods are collected on or before 17:00 on 10 April 2026, the Involuntary Bailee or its agents will remove and dispose of the Goods. The period between now and the Deadline is sufficient to provide you with a reasonable opportunity to take delivery of the Goods.
  4. If the Goods are disposed of, the Involuntary Bailee intends to retain its disposal costs from any sale proceeds.”

As you can see, multiple units are listed in the forfeiture notice, including the address assigned to their takeaway sister site located just around the corner on Bootle Street, although it’s still unclear whether or not this way will stay open.

For now, it looks like their Stockport site in Hazel Grove will remain untouched.

is topkapi takeaway closed for good manchester deansgate
Credit: The Manc

Somewhat of an institution in its own right, plenty of Mancs will have visited the late-night street food spot even if they have never sat down for a meal in the Topkapi Palace itself.

Posting on the Manchester subreddit last week, one user wrote: “I noticed that Topkapi Palace on Deansgate had shut down, I was gutted!”; another went on to add: “Oh dear – I hadn’t realised this.

“I always enjoyed the food, but it was often quiet during the week more recently, and that end of Deansgate is now prime territory for expensive bars. I doubt the unit will stay empty very long.”

Topkapi’s apparent closure is just one of several in and around the city centre already this year, with several hospitality names having to cease trading due to rising energy bills, business rates, rent and various other reasons. Here’s hoping the sector regains a bit of stability sometime soon.

Glitzy Manchester restaurant KAJI has quietly shut down

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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