Police are appealing for information following reports of a spiking at a pub in Heywood over this past weekend.
The incident occurred in The Dressers Arms pub last Friday (4 August) at around 10pm.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained in its public appeal for witnesses and information that a female victim was approached by an unknown man at the bar of the popular pub in the Rochdale town, before starting to feel dizzy and ill later in the evening.
The next morning, she had an “unexplained mark on her thigh”, which she did not have the night before – with the mark resembling that of an injection mark from a needle.
Following what has described as a “horrible experience” for the female victim, GMP officers investigating the incident are now looking to identify and speak to a black male, who is approximately mid 20s, of slim build with short black hair, and who was wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans on the night.
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Anyone who was in the pub at the time of the incident, and therefore may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police.
“Spiking is a horrible experience for anyone and we encourage everyone on a night out to have fun, but remain alert and if anyone sees anything suspicious to report it to us right away,” Detective Inspector Sam Taylor, of GMP’s Rochdale Criminal Investigation Department, explained as the public appeal was issued.
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DI Taylor added that GMP’s ‘Operation Lioness’ is running throughout the summer to help “ensure those on a night out are protected and supported”, adding that there’ll also be extra dedicated patrols of uniformed and plain clothes officers deployed.
A CCTV image of the man police are looking to speak to / Credit: GMP
These officers will be sent to different hotspots across Greater Manchester in a bid to help detect and deter offences.
Anyone who was in The Dressers Arms in Heywood at the time and might have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police on 101 quoting log number 0169 of 060823, or alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Are you are a victim, or you see something that doesn’t feel right, you’re also asked to report it to police to so officers can act.
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Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
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.
BTP Detective Sergeant, Mark Haviland, called Kurukulasuriya a ‘despicable man’ who targeted a woman travelling alone ‘for his own sick sexual gratification’.
Emily Sergeant -
7th August 2023 
