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.
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#JAILED | Private tutor sentenced to 14 years for sexual assault of five women and girls
Umair Iqbal (28/11/1987), of Lecester Road, Cheetham Hill, was found guilty of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault against five children and adults aged eight-18 years of age. pic.twitter.com/VEwP2OYquk
“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.”
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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.
“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
Police appeal after Rochdale woman, 75, was burgled by man in clown outfit on Halloween
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information has been made following reports of a burglary in Rochdale last week on Halloween.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 7:10pm on Halloween (Friday 31 October), a woman on Birch Road in Rochdale answered the door to a man – who is believed to have been dressed in a clown outfit – and he proceeded to ask for a drink before following the woman into her address and stealing several items, then running away.
He took a red purse with the woman’s mother’s wedding ring inside of it – which is said to be of ‘extremely’ sentimental value.
Police say the man may have discarded the ring once he left the victim’s address, but he did use one of her stolen cards at a shop later that evening.
Birch Road in Rochdale, where the shocking incident happened / Credit: Google Maps
Thankfully, the woman – aged 75 – was left unhurt, but she has been left shocked and upset by the incident.
“This was a shocking incident, which has left a woman feeling unsafe in her own home,” commented Detective Sergeant Ruth Thompson, from GMP’s Rochdale district.
“She has spent many years helping the homeless and working for local charities, so it is particularly grim that someone would exploit her goodwill.”
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information following reports of a burglary in Rochdale on Friday (31 October).
At around 7.10pm that evening on Birch Road, a 75-year-old woman answered the door to a man, who then entered her home.
Investigating officers have now released an image of a man they would like to speak to, alongside the wider public appeal for information, as it’s believed it could help with their enquiries.
DS Thompson added: “While I appreciate the image quality isn’t the greatest, I hope that someone may recognise the costume and it jogs their memory.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3012 of 31/10/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
Greater Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
People in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 26 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launched this past Saturday (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Mana, Erst, Climat, 10 Tib Lane, Ezra & Gill, Tartuffe, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
The funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, which funds Independent Living Advisors for young people, and Real Change Manchester, which plugs into the existing homelessness charities to provide that extra boost of funding that makes all the difference.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2025, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
Emily Sergeant -
11th August 2025 
