A man's been jailed for the rape of a woman in Manchester city Center

Sajjad Sultan, (02/09/1995) of (Darnley street, Trafford) has been sentenced on Tuesday 30 November to fifteen years in prison for the rape of a woman in Manchester in 2018.

On the night of 15 October 2018, the victim, a 24-year-old woman became separated from her friends while on night out in the Gay Village in Manchester City Centre. She met Sultan, who she didn't know, and then walked around the village with him in nothing other than a friendly capacity.

At around 3:20am on the 16 October 2018, they agree to walk along the canal tow path close to the New Union Pub on Canal Street, to get a taxi from Deansgate Lock, as it would be cheaper.

As soon as they entered the tunnel under Princess Street, Sultan grabbed the victim, and subjected her to a 40 minute ordeal, assaulting and raping her. She was petrified with fear, and was unable to shout or ask for help.

Following the attack, Sultan and the victim made their way towards Piccadilly Gardens, where the victim managed to separate from Sultan, and call her mum who collected her from Shudehill bus station, where she disclosed what had happened to her. 

Sultan was arrested on 30 November 2018, and subsequently charged with rape and sexual assault. He was found guilty by jury on 29^th October 2021.

He's now been sentenced to 15 years, 10 custodial 5 on licence. 

Detective Constable Thomas Small from GMP's City of Manchester District said: "I would like to thank the victim for coming forward to speak with police about this shocking and horrific incident.

"Sultan will now be serving a long custodial sentence. And while that doesn't take away the impact this incident has and will continue to have on the victim, I hope it offers her some closure to an extremely traumatic period in her life.

"We want all members of our community, especially women and girls, to feel they are not at risk of harm when simply walking the streets of Manchester and going about their daily lives. Women's safety is a top priority, and something we will continue to take incredibly seriously. I want to urge anyone who has survived sexual abuse to get in touch with the police, so we can investigate and bring the offenders to justice."

Anyone affected by this case should contact police online, if able, via www.gmp.police.uk , or call 101. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

• 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. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 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 on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]

• 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