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
Murder investigation launched and five people arrested after man dies in Salford
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after the death of a man in Salford this week.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to an address on Great Clowes Street in Salford at around 7:50pm on Tuesday evening (6 October), and when they arrived on the scene, a man in his 40s was found ‘unresponsive’.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services and all the medical professionals involved, the man sadly died a short time later.
The identity of the man has not been revealed as of yet.
Police have confirmed that five men, all aged between 24 and 35-years-old, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A public appeal for information has now been issued as the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this man’s death continues.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Partington explained: “Our priority is to establish exactly what happened and we are keeping an open mind as we work to build a full picture of the events leading up to his death. A post-mortem is taking place to establish the cause of death, which will be an important part of our investigation.
“We understand that an incident of this nature will understandably cause concern within the local community but at this stage, we are confident that there isn’t any wider threat to the public.
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“Officers will remain in the area while enquiries continue, and I would encourage anyone who has information, or who may have witnessed anything that could assist our investigation, to speak to officers or contact us.”
Can you help? Anyone with information should contact police on 101, use the LiveChat function on the GMP website, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
Crime
Manchester man jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of woman on train
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed after sexually assaulting and masturbating in front of a woman on board a train to Manchester.
Following an extensive British Transport Police (BTP) investigation, Nisan Fernando Kurukulasuriya, of Troutbeck Road in Altrincham, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court last month.
At the trail last month, the court heard how, on Monday 20 April 2026, 39-year-old Kurukulasuriya was on a train from Stoke to Manchester and sat next to a woman he didn’t know, who was on the phone.
He then sexually assaulted her repeatedly, doing so again even after being pushed away by the woman.
The woman then noticed that Kurukulasuriya had exposed himself and was masturbating in front of her. She shouted at him, and in response, he stood up and ran away to leave the train – but the woman immediately got up to report the incident to staff.
When the train arrived at Manchester Piccadilly, the woman alerted a member of staff while Kurukulasuriya was stood only a few meters away, and BTP were subsequently called straight away.
Police quickly attended and arrested Kurukulasuriya.
When police interviewed him, Kurukulasuriya showed no remorse for his actions and refused to answer any questions put to him.
After pleading guilty to Sexual Assault and Outraging Public Decency at a previous court hearing, Kurukulasuriya was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, and was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which will bar him from sitting next to any woman he doesn’t know on public transport, as well as being put on thensex offenders register for 10 years.
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BTP Detective Sergeant, Mark Haviland, called Kurukulasuriya a ‘despicable man’ who targeted a woman travelling alone ‘for his own sick sexual gratification’.
Featured Image – BTP
Emily Sergeant -
28th July 2025 
