A man who broke into a Manchester student’s residence and raped her has been jailed for 20 years, it has been confirmed.
today (31 August 2023) been sentenced to 20 years in jail with a further 5 years on license after release.
33-year-old Courtney Adams, of Chichester Road in Manchester, raped and sexually assaulted the 19-year-old woman after breaking into an address on Cavendish Place at around 5:30am on 29 November 2022.
The victim awoke to find Adams in her room “holding a knife to her face” and “demanding cash and valuables”, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reports.
Earlier on the night of the attack, Adams had also broken into another victim’s address on Greater Western Street armed with a crowbar – with the victim having heard Adams breaking in and proceeding to flee the house to “seek assistance from her neighbours” after seeing him.
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Whilst the victim was gone, Adams then “tore through her home” and stole numerous things – including debit cards, handbags, and more – and after making unsuccessful attempts to use the stolen cards in a late-night convenience store, he then made his way to Cavendish Place.
On gaining entry to the property in central Manchester, Adams took a knife from the kitchen and went into a bedroom.
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What then followed is what police have called a “truly horrific ordeal”.
Cavendish Place in Manchester city centre / Credit: Google Maps
Adam’s pressed the knife to the 19-year-old victim’s face and threatened to harm her if she didn’t hand over valuables and cash, and so, distressed and in fear of her life, the victim gave him a quantity of cash, but he still proceeded to ransack the room looking for more, before going on attacked, sexually assault, and rape her.
Left “immediately traumatised” by what had happened to her, the victim called a friend and together they contacted the police.
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Upon receiving reports, GMP straight away launched an investigation to “rapidly-locate” and arrest the man responsible for this “horrific attack”.
The search operation involved extensive house-to-house enquiries, several appeals to the general public for information, and reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV and other footage.
Following appeals for information, officers were provided with compilations of CCTV by members of the public and using this footage, they were able to piece together the events of that night and follow the movements of the man later identified as Adams.
#JAILED | Today (31/8/23) Courtney Adams (DOB: 1/11/90) of Chichester Road, Manchester has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for the rape and burglary of a nineteen-year-old female student at an address on Cavendish Place, Manchester in November 2022 ⬇️ https://t.co/izxQZUEfdOpic.twitter.com/uS8t8gzH9N
Investigators also discovered till receipts on the grass near Cavendish Place, which showed Adams attempting to use the stolen credit cards in the shop and linked him to the other burglary that had taken place earlier that evening on Great Western Street.
Investigators consulted the Greenheys Neighbourhood Team who, on viewing CCTV, identified Adams as the suspect.
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This led to a warrant at Adams address, and following this phone work was completed which yielded crucial evidence that put Adams directly at the scenes at Great Western Street and Cavendish place during the times when the offences took place.
After investigators discovered information linking to Adams’ earlier crimes in the night, a warrant led to his address, and on 4 December 2022, he was arrested.
He was then charged a short time later, and remanded until trial.
Following this rape conviction, yesterday (31 August), Adams was sentenced to 20 years in jail with a further five years on license after release, GMP has confirmed.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Gary Lineker set to leave BBC this week following more controversy
Danny Jones
Former footballer and veteran presenter Gary Lineker is set to leave the BBC earlier than expected following further political controversies and social media backlash.
Lineker has been butting heads with the presenter for a couple of years now, being suspended by the national corporation back in March 2023 for his comments about language used by the Conservative government, and has continued to take issue with certain aspects of their news coverage.
He has since gone on to share a further video expressing his regret over what he called an “honest mistake”, as well as confirming that he will be making a premature exit from the BBC.
As you can see in the clip above, he says: “I apologise unreservedly for the hurt and upset caused,” insisting that he didn’t see the emoji in question
Lineker is now expected to leave following his final Match of the Day programme this weekend after having already confirmed he would be leaving the role after 26 years at the end of the season.
The ex-English footballer was set to present the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, but given the latest furore, he will be stepping away ahead of schedule.
Having gradually wound down his work with networks like TNT Sports (previously BT Sport) and the BBC in recent years, he has been slowly shifting his focus to his own Goalhanger Podcasts company, which includes several popular audio formats under The Rest Is… brand, including his own flagship The Rest Is Football show.
He goes on to add that he’s “stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all my life.” Since the most recent Israel-Palestine conflicts began, he’s been particularly outspoken on the events. One recent interview with the BBC itself sparked plenty of discussion online.
Gary Lineker, "What's going on there (Gaza), the mass murder of thousands of children is something we should have an opinion on"
Amol Rajan, "The BBC needs to be impartial about it"
Lineker reiterated that he would never “knowingly share anything antisemitic” and removed the problematic post as soon as he was made aware.
Nevertheless, the BBC and director general Tim Davie have been facing pressure to address the situation ever since it happened, with many calling for the household name to be sacked.
It seems the ex-Everton, Leicester, Spurs and Barcelona player has made the decision for them.
As he goes on to conclude, despite expressing gratitude regarding his relationship with the BBC, he feels the “time is right […’ to go our separate ways.”
“Wildfires can spread quickly and cause devastation to the land and wildlife on it,” explained GMFRS’s wildfire lead and national tactical adviser for wildfires, Ady Taylor, “so it’s vitally important that people call 999 as soon as they think they see a fire.”
He continued: “We want people to enjoy the countryside and moorland we have in Greater Manchester, but… [we] remind people to always act responsibly while out enjoying these environments.
“This means no BBQs, fires or fireworks – as they can easily result in wildfires.”
On Wednesday 14 May 2025, a teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and interviewed by police in relation to the incident, and then the following day on Thursday 15 May 2025, another two boys were also arrested – with each of the three having now been released on bail pending further enquiries while investigations are ongoing.
Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large moorland fire in Bury / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Detective Inspector Andy Wright, from GMP’s Bury district, added: “The moorland fire is being investigated as arson following information from a witness and enquiries we have made.
“We have managed to apprehend three teenagers in relation to this incident, all of them have been bailed following interviews with our officers.”
GMP and GMFRS is reminding Greater Manchester residents that if they see a fire in the countryside, they need to report it immediately, leave the area as soon as possible, and dial 999, and if you witness illegal activity in relation to the fire, then you can report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
“Fires can have such a devastating effect, and we are lucky that this has not caused a significant amount of damage, or cost lives,” Detective Inspector Andy Wright concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
1st September 2023 
