ADAM DOWNWORTH: GORTON AND STOCKPORT SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO LIFE IN MANCHESTER

In October 2013, a chilling case unfolded involving Adam Downworth, a man from Gorton and Stockport, who was convicted of a series of brutal sexual assaults that terrorized the Manchester area. The court heard how Downworth, aged 32, prowled the streets in his works van, targeting lone women during nighttime hours across the districts of Gorton and Stockport. His predatory behavior spanned approximately ten months, during which he selected victims at random, stalking them on foot after initially approaching them in his vehicle.

Downworth’s reign of terror was marked by extreme violence and sadistic tendencies. He subjected five women to severe sexual assaults, with one victim requiring reconstructive surgery to her face due to the brutality of the attack. Another woman was strangled until she lost consciousness. The court was told that Downworth derived a sadistic pleasure from these assaults, which were carried out with calculated cruelty. During the first four rapes, he wore surgical gloves in an attempt to evade detection, but his luck ran out after his fifth attack, which lasted around 40 minutes. He was seen fleeing the scene, and police quickly apprehended him and his van nearby.

Authorities linked him to the crimes through CCTV footage of his van, petrol receipts, and mobile phone records. Further investigations at his home uncovered manuals on martial arts, choking, strangling, forensic science, and criminal psychological profiling, indicating a disturbing premeditation and interest in violent techniques.

During the trial, it was revealed that Downworth had threatened one victim with the words, “I’ll have to kill you now,” after assaulting her. Fortunately, she managed to escape, bloodstained and covered in dirt. The victims suffered profound psychological trauma, with some describing attempts at suicide and ongoing mental health struggles. Court testimonies painted a harrowing picture of how their lives had been irrevocably changed. One woman recounted her ongoing fear, flashbacks, and physical injuries, including a broken jaw, which made speaking and chewing difficult. She expressed that her life had been transformed, and she no longer felt safe walking alone, constantly looking over her shoulder and feeling like a shadow of her former self.

Another victim shared her pain over the visible scars and the emotional toll, stating that the attack had left her feeling rough and unsafe. A third woman described her previous happiness and trust in people, which was shattered by Downworth’s actions. She expressed her determination to move forward and find happiness despite the trauma inflicted upon her.

In addition to the physical assaults, Downworth used a stolen mobile phone from one victim to send crude, threatening, and sexual messages to strangers on Facebook. One such message read: “You are a proper slag from what I hear. Dya really fink really ur so atraktive, ha.”

After a three-month trial, Downworth was found guilty of 13 charges, including rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration, and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. The judge at Manchester Crown Court sentenced him to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 15 years. The courtroom was filled with emotional reactions, including cheers and applause, as the sentence was announced. One woman in the gallery shouted, “I hope he dies a slow death,” reflecting the deep anger and fear felt by many witnesses.

Judge described the attacks as vicious, emphasizing the physical and verbal assaults designed to terrify and humiliate his victims. The case highlighted the profound impact of Downworth’s crimes on the victims’ mental health and sense of safety, leaving a lasting scar on the community of Gorton and Stockport.