ALEX WILSON FROM FLETCHER AND MANCHESTER SHOCKS COMMUNITY WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT ON TEENAGER IN CITY CENTRE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Fletcher and Manchester, Alex Wilson was convicted of heinous crimes involving the assault and rape of a 14-year-old boy in a prominent department store in Manchester city centre. The incident, which took place on a busy Saturday afternoon, has highlighted the dangers lurking in public spaces and the devastating impact such crimes have on young victims.

According to court proceedings, the assault occurred in June 2013, when the young victim was heading home alone in Manchester city centre. Despite his wariness of public conveniences, he decided to use the toilets at the Arndale Centre. It was during this routine visit that he was approached by two men, later identified as Alex Wilson, 42, of Oldham Street, Manchester, and Abdelkader El-Janabi, 55, of Artillery Court, Ardwick, Manchester. The defendants forcibly took the boy by the arm and led him out of the shopping centre, directing him towards the nearby Debenhams store, where the assault ensued.

Witnesses and evidence presented in court revealed that El-Janabi, a former Iraqi intelligence officer who fought in both the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War, was familiar with the Debenhams toilets, having been previously caught loitering there by store staff. The court heard that El-Janabi was the one who physically raped the teenager, while Wilson-Fletcher was convicted of participating in a joint enterprise, acting as a lookout and encouraging the attack.

During the trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage that played a crucial role in tracking down the suspects. The police circulated images nationwide, which eventually led to their arrest. Wilson-Fletcher surrendered after seeing his photograph on a BBC 'wanted' website, and he was identified at an identity parade due to his distinctive lazy eye. El-Janabi was apprehended at his flat in Longsight, Manchester, after police received a tip from his caretaker who recognized him from the press release.

The court heard that the attack was premeditated, with El-Janabi telling the victim, “Come with us, you’re going to do anything we say and if you try to run away we will catch you.” The boy, overwhelmed and frightened, attempted to escape but was caught and forced into the store’s toilets. Once inside, the assault continued, with El-Janabi raping the boy while Wilson-Fletcher watched and participated in the joint enterprise.

Judge Michael Leeming QC sentenced both men at Manchester Crown Court, emphasizing the lasting psychological damage inflicted on the young victim. The boy, now 15, had previously attempted to take his own life through an overdose of pills and alcohol, a desperate cry for help following the trauma. He suffers from depression, panic attacks, and sleep difficulties, and is currently undergoing ongoing counseling. The judge highlighted that such attacks can cause long-term psychological harm, which the victim will carry for years to come.

Despite their convictions, both Wilson-Fletcher and El-Janabi maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings. The judge noted that El-Janabi, who had served as a military intelligence officer, showed no remorse or empathy, and had not demonstrated any insight into the harm caused. The court also learned that El-Janabi had knee problems, which he claimed were caused by American troops during his time as a prisoner of war, though this was rejected by the jury.

The sentencing hearing revealed that Wilson-Fletcher was employed at a law firm in Liverpool at the time of his arrest, and both men had no previous convictions. Nevertheless, the severity of their crimes warranted substantial prison terms. The judge underscored the importance of protecting vulnerable young people from such predatory behavior and emphasized the devastating consequences of these actions for the victims and their families.