A man described as being a ‘dangerous sexual predator’ who raped lone women at knifepoint in Manchester city centre has been jailed for life.
It comes after a thorough investigation by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) dedicated Longsight Criminal Investigation Department.
In the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 31 January 2024, GMP received a 999 call from a victim stating that she had been raped at knife point on Mancunian Way, in Manchester city centre, and as police attended the scene, they were also approached by a second victim who had also been raped at knife point too.
It didn’t end there though, as throughout that same day, two more reports of a rape and an attempted rape at knife point, also in the same location, were reported.
But, with extensive witness statements and descriptions of the offender, the suspect was identified as Stuart Thomson from Stockport, and an urgent manhunt was subsequently launched to find him.
/ Credit: GMP
Investigating detectives trawled CCTV to build a picture of his movements in the lead up to the attacks.
On several occasions, Thomson was captured on CCTV wearing distinctive items of clothing, including a hoodie with a grey insert on the back, a coat with green lining, a wool hat, and a high vis style t-shirt, and at the scene, police also recovered a wool hat – which was mentioned in one of the victim statements.
The hat was seized for forensics, and while at first it came back matching someone who did not match the description of our offender, police went to the address to conduct enquiries, and upon attending found Thomson wearing the distinctive green jacket that had been identified during the CCTV trawls.
Thomson was arrested at the scene, and several other items of clothing relating to the violent offences were seized.
#JAILED | Stuart Thomson (15/03/1990) of Buxton Road, Stockport, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of three counts of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, three counts of threatening another with a bladed article, and possession of a bladed article pic.twitter.com/ESSsJBfO49
Despite answering “no comment” to every question put to him by detectives, and pleading ‘not guilty’ last during a 10-day trial at Manchester Crown Court, a jury found 34-year-old Thomson guilty of three counts of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, three counts of threatening another with a bladed article, and possession of a bladed article.
He was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years.
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Jennifer Savazzi, from GMP’s Longsight Criminal Investigations Department, commented: “It’s clear that Stuart Thomson is a dangerous sexual predator. He forcibly imposed himself upon these women in a violent and callous way with no consideration for the damage he was doing to them.
“By not accepting responsibility, Thomson forced [his victims] to relive their pain throughout this trial.
“The harm offenders like Thomson cause are incalculable, but I hope this result goes some way in reassuring our victims, survivors, and members of the public that a dangerous man is off our streets, and i welcome this sentence today.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Police tell gig-goers to ‘remain vigilant’ as Oasis Live ’25 hits Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Anyone lucky enough to be heading to Heaton Park for the Oasis Live ’25 gigs this summer is being told to ‘remain vigilant’.
Manchester is all set for a sensational summer of sound, as more than 300,000 music fans prepare to descend on our city to see a little-known band called Oasis (sarcasm detected) reform for the first time in over a decade.
And today is finally the big day after what has been a very long-time coming.
With the Gallagher brothers staging five nostalgia-drenched gigs at Heaton Park starting today (11 July), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has now issued some important advice and information for gig-goers attending what is likely going to be one of the best live shows of their life, and what is sure to be a momentous moment for the city.
Oasis Live ’25 Manchester gig-goers told to ‘remain vigilant’ / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Publicity Picture)
GMP confirmed that it will be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows ‘pass by safely’ on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months, alongside our partners at Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and many more.
Police officers will be present around the Heaton Park site, working with event security staff to ‘prevent crime and disorder’, while off-site patrols will also assist with traffic management and policing in the surrounding areas and the city centre.
Efforts are also underway to ‘minimise disruption’ in Manchester city centre and the surrounding areas, GMP confirmed.
We’ll be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows pass by safely at Manchester’s Heaton Park starting from this Friday.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months alongside our partners.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 10, 2025
“Our priority is to ensure everyone’s safety,” explained Assistant Chief Constable, Matt Boyle.
“We have worked closely with event organisers and partners to make sure the event is safe and enjoyable for those attending, whilst minimising any crime or antisocial behaviour impacts on local residents.
“We will have a large and highly visible policing operation in place in Heaton Park, the city centre, and on routes into and out of the venue to help people enjoy the event. We also have neighbourhood police officers and staff in place who are dedicated to dealing with local residents’ concerns.
“Our advice to fans attending is to enjoy yourselves but to remain vigilant, keep your belongings safe, and report anything suspicious to police or security staff so we can act on it.”
Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Emily Sergeant -
20th January 2025 
