Manchester man jailed after being found guilty of non-recent sexual abuse.

A man from Manchester has been sentenced to three years in jail, after being found guilty of six counts of indecent assault, years after the offences took place. 

Ilyas Akhtar, who is 48 years old, of Woodlands Road, Manchester, was sentenced on Friday 6 May, 2022. 

During the trial at Bolton Crown Court , the jury heard how the victim in the case, was around five years old at the time that the offences occurred. 

She reported Akhtar to police in 2019 after disclosing to her partner what had happened when she was younger.

Akhtar was around 14 years old when he began sexually touching the victim on a regular basis at his house and another address, which carried on until the victim was 10 years old.

Akhtar was arrested on 10 March 2019 and later pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Detective Constable Sarah Austin, of GMPs North Manchester district CID, said: "I’d like to thank the victim in this case for her immense bravery in deciding to come forward and support an investigation into Akhtar after all those years.

"The effect that sexual abuse can have upon a victim can be devastating and we need to make sure that anyone who commits these acts faces justice. I hope this sentence comes as some comfort and closure.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to remind any victims of sexual abuse who have not yet come forward, that we can help you, no matter how long ago the offences happened, we will do all we can to support you”.

 

Greater Manchester Victims' Services provide emotional and practical support to anyone affected by crime and are a confidential service. The service can be contacted by visiting the website on www.gmvictims.org.uk or calling 0161 200 1950.

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, you are encouraged to report it, or seek help and guidance from services on offer: 

Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester.  Services are available on a 24-hour basis and  can  be accessed by telephoning 0161 276 6515.

Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives.  Call 0161 273 4500 or email us at help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.