Crime
Former doctor jailed for sexually assaulting patients in his care in Wigan
The incidents took place between 2019 and 2020.
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
Manchester Airport releases statement after customer data stolen in ‘targeted’ cyber security attack
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport has released a formal statement after data was stolen from 8.7 million customers in a ‘targeted’ cyber security attack yesterday.
Manchester Airport Group (MAG) – which operates Manchester Airport, Stansted, and East Midlands Airport – said the cyber security incident happened at around 1pm yesterday (Thursday 27 August), and that the data seized from 8.7 million customers included email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations, and postcodes.
The data that was stolen related to car park, lounge and Fast Track bookings, and in-airport WiFi sign-ups, MAG stated.
It was initially confirmed that the system the hackers accessed did not hold customers’ bank or payment details, however, and that all other regular airport operations and customer parking continued uninterrupted.
Manchester Airport has now released a formal statement to reassure customers that they are taking the matter ‘extremely seriously’.
The statement reads: “Manchester Airport Group has been subject to a cyber security incident by an unauthorised third party.
“A quantity of customer data has been obtained that relates to car park, lounge and Fast Track bookings and in-airport WIFI sign-ups at Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports.
“We immediately contained the risk and have been working with specialist advisors and taking appropriate steps to protect our customers and systems. We have informed and are working with the relevant authorities, and at no point has passenger safety or aviation security been compromised.”
MAG insisted that the incident had not resulted in any ‘operational disruption’, adding: “Airport operations remain unaffected and customer parking services continue to operate normally.
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“Neither MAG nor the system accessed hold customers’ bank or payment details. The data that has been accessed includes customers’ email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes.
“We would like to reassure customers that Manchester Airport Group takes the security of customer information extremely seriously, and we apologise for any inconvenience or concern caused.”
Featured Image – MAG
Crime
Man charged with rape of 17-year-old girl near Piccadilly Gardens
Emily Sergeant
A man is due to appear in court today after being charged with the rape of a 17-year-old girl near Piccadilly Gardens last month.
A 24-year-old Afghan man, who has been formally named by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as Abdul Shinwari, of no fixed abode, has been charged with two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, non-fatal strangulation, and possession with intent to supply.
He was charged following reports of the rape of a 17-year-old girl on Hope Street, near Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre.
The shocking incident happened at around 1:30am on Tuesday 14 July 2026, and specialist safeguarding officers have been continuing to support the victim ever since.
Shinwari was remanded in custody following his arrest, and is now due to appear at Manchester Crown Court today (25 August 2026).
There have been no further police statements on the matter at this time.
News of this incident comes after it was announced earlier this year that a new police hub was to set to be established in Piccadilly Gardens.
Local leaders said at the start of 2026 that their ambition for the year was to maintain a ‘high-performing’ police service by tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and protecting residents and businesses along the way.
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And part of this ambition was to increase police visibility in Piccadilly Gardens, which is a much-maligned part of the city centre, by launching a new ‘prominent’ police hub.
You can read more about that here.
Featured Image – GMP
Emily Sergeant -
28th July 2025 
