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Man arrested at Manchester Airport after fleeing country during child sex offences trial

He was described as being 'cowardly'.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st October 2025

A man has been arrested at Manchester Airport after he previously fled the country while he was on trial for child sexual offences.

Hassan Mahmood, of Gigg Lane in Bury, had been found guilty on four counts of child sexual offences in August – including engaging in sexual communication with a child, and even engaging in ‘penetrative sexual activity’ with a child.

But the 23-year-old fled the country on the second day of the trial.

The trial then continued in his absence, despite the fleeing, and he was subsequently sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.

Now though, following his arrest at Manchester Airport as he returned to country this week, Mahmood is now awaiting sentencing for the fleeing, and is due to appear at court to begin the formalities of receiving his sentence.

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Mahmood’s original conviction and sentencing came following an extensive investigation carried out by the Bury Complex Safeguarding Team.

He was described as being ‘cowardly’ by GMP investigating officers.

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“Mahmood cowardly left the country to evade punishment for his vile crimes, and I am glad he will now be behind bars where he belongs,” commented Detective Constable Shaheen Saleh, from GMP’s Child Criminal Exploitation Team.

“We are committed to locking up those responsible for child sexual offences, and we will always ensure that they are brought to justice, no matter where they try to hide.

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“We remain in contact with the victim of this case and have been supporting her throughout the process.”

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Further details of Mahmood’s sentencing are set to be announced in due course.

Featured Image – GMP

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Manchester’s libraries to become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi this winter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm welcome spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.

After millions of local residents visited the ‘stigma-free safe spaces’ to escape and take refuge from the cold each year since they were first introduced in 2022, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.

All 22 of Manchester‘s public libraries are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.

Designed to ‘provide support to people who need it’ over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.

Free hot drinks, WiFi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.

Outside Manchester Central Library
Person holding a hot drink
Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi again this winter / Credit: Haydon Waldeck | koolshooters (Pexels)

There will be age-friendly spaces to connect with others, story times once a week at 11am for children under five, and even weekly digital drop-ins too.

Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.

All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them ‘for as long as you like’.

“For many years, the Council has been a proud supporter of the Warm Welcome Spaces initiative,” explained Councillor Thomas Robinson, who is the Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care at Manchester City Council.

“In Manchester we have been all too aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the hardships people have suffered as a result. 

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“It’s not an exaggeration to say this work has the potential to be lifesaving. The simple act of offering a person a safe place where they can interact with other Mancunians, to not feel alone or get the help they need, can have a lasting and meaningful impact.”

Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.

Featured Image – RawPixel

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University fees set to increase in line with inflation but Government promises ‘better outcomes’ for students

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant University lecture

University tuition fees are set to increase in line with forecasted inflation for the next two academic years, the Government has announced.

However, the Department for Education is promising ‘better outcomes’ for students for it.

Last year was the first year, since 2017, that tuition fees were increased in line with inflation, and now that the Office for Students is forecasting that 43% of institutions will be in deficit without further action to ‘shore up’ their finances, the Government has announced in its ‘landmark’ Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper – published this week – that fees will need to rise again.

To support universities in continuing to deliver world-class teaching and research, tuition fees will rise in line with forecast inflation for the next two academic years.

According to the Department for Education, legislation will then be brought forward, when parliamentary time allows, to enable automatic increases to fee caps in future years in line with inflation – but this will only be institutions that meet tough new quality thresholds set by the Office for Students. 

Where standards are deemed to ‘fall short’, the Office for Students will then act quickly to stop the expansion of low-quality courses and will aim to hold providers to account.

Graduating students
University fees are set to increase in line with inflation for the next two years / Credit: PickPik

Universities that underperform could face financial and regulatory consequences, the Government has confirmed, as a way of ensuring public money is spent only on courses that deliver for students and the economy overall.

“Young people from all backgrounds feel they have been let down by a system that talks about opportunity but too often fails to deliver it,” commented Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as the White Paper was published this week.

“Universities charge significant fees for their courses, but if they are going to charge the maximum, it is right that they deliver the world-class education students expect. 

“These reforms will ensure value for money, higher standards across our universities and colleges and a renewed focus on the skills our economy needs.”

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The Government has also said it will also work with universities and local authorities to ensure they offer ‘adequate accommodation’ for their students.

It will also support efforts to drive down the cost of living going forward.

Featured Image – StockCake

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