News

Private tutor with ‘sordid sexual agenda’ jailed after sexually assaulting five young girls

A horrific case.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 11th August 2025

A private tutor with a ‘sordid sexual agenda’ has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a number of young girls.

Umair Iqbal, from the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester, served as a private Quran and maths tutor in the Greater Manchester area, but over a 10-year period between 2010 and 2020, he would regularly attended the homes of the young women and girls to conduct his scheduled lessons and proceed to sexually assault several of them.

Primary inquiries into the 37-year-old began in October 2020 when the first account of sexual abuse was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) by a victim – who was just 15 years old at the time.

After years of believing the abuse was a fault of her own, the victim found the courage to inform her family and then the police, and a subsequent investigation into Mr Iqbal’s actions was launched by Rochdale’s multi-agency safeguarding team, known then as the sunrise team.

The investigation soon revealed the extent of Mr Iqbal’s abusive behaviour, and went on to unearth a further four victims – including a victim who had been abused from the age of eight years old.

“All five victims were young Muslim girls from good families, abused by a person in a position of trust and silenced through fear of getting in trouble or being blamed for the abuse,” explained Rochdale’s Detective Constable Alex Dodd, who lead the case said.

“Iqbal befriended families and used the good reputation of a community to hide behind his sordid sexual agenda.”

Following a four-week trial, Mr Iqbal was found guilty of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault against five children and adults, between the ages of eight and 18.

He appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday last week (7 August 2025), where he was subsequently sentenced to 14 years – 11 of those being in prison, of which he must serve two-thirds, with a further three on extended license.

He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining orders for all victims and their families.

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“I would like to recognise and thank all five victims and their families for their determination during the lengthy investigation and four-week trial, which was a distressing process for them,” DC Alex Dodd concluded.

GMP encourages anyone who feels they may have been subjected to Mr Iqbal’s behaviour to come forward and report it on 101, quoting ‘Operation Ganister.’

Featured Image – GMP

News

Britain’s top five neighbour ‘red flags’ revealed in an eye-opening new survey

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Houses

The top five ‘red flags’ of neighbours have been revealed, according to an eye-opening new survey of hundreds of Brits.

In an ideal world, we’d all be friendly with those on our street – but despite everyone’s best intentions, it doesn’t always work out that way, as the dream can begin to unravel once you find out the neighbours aren’t quite what you hoped for.

It’s no secret that who lives next door can shape your day-to-day life, regardless of whether you own or rent your home.

Unlike a dodgy paint colour or a bathroom that’s is need of some modernisation, neighbours aren’t really that easy to change.

New build houses
Britain’s top five neighbour ‘red flags’ have been revealed in a hilarious new survey / Credit: James Feaver (via Unsplash)

But what exactly is it that really gets under Brits’ skin when it comes to their neighbours? In a bid to find out, Rightmove conducted a new survey and asked members of its research panel, Living Room, to share the neighbourly habits that raise the biggest ‘red flags’ in their books.

The number one neighbour red flag was discovered to be those who ask to borrow your WiFi password if theirs isn’t working or is yet to be installed, with 87% of survey respondents calling it a ‘no-go’, saying it’s not just cheeky, but can also slow down your connection too, meaning you’re left buffering when you don’t need to be.

So-called ‘bin offenders’ take the second spot. You know, those with overflowing bins spilling onto the street? Seven in 10 Brits say it’s a major red flag.

Mancunians have been revealed as the ‘nosiest’ neighbours in the UK

‘Parking pinchers’ take the third spot, with more than half of people (51%) said they’d be unhappy if a neighbour took their parking spot, 71% saying they are irritated by people parking outside their homes, and 70% disliking it when non-residents use their street.

70% of Brits say nosy neighbours are a ‘real issue’, meaning so-called curtain twitching is a red flag, and then 38% say knocking on or inviting round for a surprise cuppa is a ‘boundary-crossing’ move, as peace and quiet matters and unexpected visits can ‘throw off your home’s calm’.

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Rightmove also found that 59% of Brits considering a moving to an area will drive by the property at different times of the day and week to check the ‘vibe’, and 43% will check local community groups for neighbour disputes that may apply.

58% say they are open to new areas if it means better neighbours.

Featured Image – Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)

News

You can stay in an aircraft, old school bus, or even a helicopter at this glamping pod near Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Cool glamping spots near Greater Manchester

There’s a glamping retreat near Manchester offering extraordinary stays in an aircraft, helicopter, old school bus and more.

Over in Blackpool at Manor House Glamping, there is a range of static vehicles that you can have an overnight stay or two in, and according to the pictures on its website, there’s even a resident emu.

You can stay in various modes of transport, such as an aircraft, an iconic yellow school bus, a campervan or a military green truck.

Each has its own perks ranging from a hot tub, outdoor bath, fire pit, sandpit and more. Whatever type of getaway or retreat you’re looking for, you’ll find everything you need right here.

glamping blackpool
sleep in a school bus north west
Credit: Manor House Glamping

The most eye-catching of the company’s stays is certainly the aircraft, which has kept its original cockpit features, although it’s safe to say the interior has definitely had a makeover.

There’s no such thing as a bad in-flight experience with this guest house, as you can get cocktails delivered to the cockpit after taking a dip in your own personal hot tub – not too shabby, eh?

With the bright and unmissable yellow school bus, there are plenty of decorations that help continue this theme in the form of various American road signs, one of which acts as your headboard for the night.

If you’re after a more toned-down chance to unwind, you can step into a pale-white camper van with cosy cushions and a snug haystack-turned-sofa adorned with some gorgeous blankets.

Say less.

staycation in an aircraft
glamping north west
You can see the full gallery HERE.

And if you’re looking at going all out, then your Manor House Glamping accommodation of choice has to be the chopper, which was once used by the Royal Navy.

Worried this option might be a tad nippy? Fear not, because this helicopter is fully kitted out to suit your glamping needs with two fluffy-lined cushions on each seat of this vintage heli.

This glamping company has even been recommended by one of the most trusted hotel review sites around, Tripadvisor, which awarded the increasingly popular site with their coveted Travellers’ Choice Award earlier this year.

Besides a big screen and lawnchairs, you could argue there’s also some other alternative entertainment.

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Anyone who experiences cabin fever, fear not, because all the aircraft and vehicles are static and aren’t planning on making a long-haul journey anytime soon, you’ll still be able to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Manor House Glamping has a variety of vehicle-themed guest houses, both old and new, for you to stay in overnight and if you’re interested or after any further information.

You can find everything you need HERE.

If you fancy staying within the boundaries of Greater Manchester but still fancy getting the feel for a cockpit, though, there’s a very fun day out over at Barton’s City Airport.

You can now feel what it’s like to pilot a 747 at Barton Aerodrome’s incredible flight simulator
You could always consider this a test flight of sorts before potential glamping near Manchester.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Supplied via Manor House Glamping

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