A man who targeted a girl in a Bolton nightclub on her first ever night out has been jailed

A Blackburn man today, Friday 30 August 2024, begins a nine year sentence after being found guilty of sexual assault and theft of a mobile phone. Six of these years are custodial with a further three on license. He is now on the sex offenders register for life and has been classified as a dangerous offender of significant risk.

The court heard how Ali subjected the victim to a targeted attack following a night out in Bolton town centre on Saturday 29 February 2020.

The teenager, now 22-years-old, had been enjoying a night out at a club with a friend. This night out was her first time in a club, after turning 18 the month prior. Midway through the night, she made her way into the club’s smoking area, where she started to feel unwell and was sick. Her friend recognised she needed assistance and went to go grab her a glass of water.

A man, who we now know is Ali, approached the victim telling her he would go and call her a taxi. Instead, he dragged her outside the venue to a dark car park close by.

The manager at another venue was stood outside there having a cigarette when she noticed a young woman appeared to be extremely drowsy and that a man with her seemed to be dragging her everywhere with him. It immediately rang alarm bells and one of her members of staff went out to intervene.

When confronted, the man, now known to be Ali, became agitated and aggressive, but asked the manager to make sure the victim got a taxi home and he walked away, not before insisting that she was his girlfriend.

It was at this point that the victim realised her Huawei mobile phone had been stolen.

Ali was subsequently identified by the various witnesses in the case and was brought into custody. The missing mobile phone was recovered in his residence.

DS Helen Hitchen of Bolton CID said: “We commend the strength and bravery of the victim in this case. With her testimony, we have been able to put a very dangerous man behind bars.

“The actions of the staff members of a neighbouring bar, getting the victim to safety despite Ali’s persistence that they were in a relationship, is also commendable. It’s clear they recognised Ali’s lies and that something wasn’t quite right about the situation. The judge highlighted that they were a credit to themselves and commended their brave actions.

“Women should be able to go on a night out freely, without fear that something may happen to them.  

“We understand our responsibility to ensure predators are identified and sent to court, but also to prevent and intervene wherever possible. Our local team spend a lot of time in Bolton’s night life, patrolling key areas, making arrests, and safeguarding vulnerable people. They also do a lot of training and education work with licensed premises, taxi companies and hotels alongside partners to ensure those working in the night-time economy can spot predatory behaviour and know how to report this to us.

“We understand that reporting sexual harassment and assaults can be traumatic and often difficult, but we are urging anyone who has suffered this kind of violence to come forward and they will be supported by our specialist officers, who are highly trained in this area.

“You will be believed and we will investigate every report that comes in.”

Anyone can report a crime by dialling 101, through the Live Chat function on the website www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

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 male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.