ARMAN NEJAD JAILED FOR CHILD RAPE IN MANCHESTER'S MOSS SIDE
In a case that has spanned over several years, Arman Nejad, a man from Manchester’s Moss Side area, has been convicted and sentenced for the heinous crime of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.The incident, which took place in October 2009, involved Nejad luring the young girl from Caythorpe Street, where she was walking with friends, under false pretenses.
He then forcibly dragged her into a nearby house in Moss Side, where he committed the assault.
Despite the gravity of the crime, the initial police investigation faced significant delays.
The case was not promptly pursued, and Nejad, who was 23 at the time of his conviction, remained at large for several years.
It was only after a series of investigations and renewed efforts by law enforcement that justice was finally served.
According to Superintendent Simon Retford from GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, there were unacceptable delays in bringing the case to court after the initial complaint was made.
He expressed concern that the victim did not receive the level of service that GMP strives to provide to victims of sexual abuse and rape.
The victim’s ordeal was first reported to police in February 2010, and she was subsequently interviewed via video by officers from the south Manchester division.
Further investigation was hampered until June 2013, when officers from GMP’s ‘Protect’ team, a specialized unit dedicated to tackling child sexual exploitation, visited the girl on an unrelated matter.
During this visit, they became aware of the lack of progress in her case.
This prompted a full investigation, leading to Nejad’s arrest, charges, and eventual conviction.
Nejad’s trial at Manchester Crown Court resulted in a guilty verdict for rape.
On April 17, 2015, he was sentenced to five years in prison.
The case also drew attention to the systemic failures within the police response, prompting an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
The IPCC returned the case to GMP for local investigation, and a formal complaint has been lodged by the victim.
Detective Inspector Debbie Oakes from GMP’s Phoenix Protect Team highlighted the importance of the work done by her unit and partner agencies.
She emphasized that the Protect team’s efforts, along with the broader Phoenix partnership, have made significant progress in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.
She also noted that legislation is used to disrupt premises suspected of being involved in child sexual exploitation, shut down such locations, and arrest suspects like Nejad to ensure they face justice.
Superintendent Retford added that an ongoing investigation is examining the reasons behind the initial delays and the circumstances surrounding the police response.
The case underscores the importance of continuous vigilance and improvement in handling such sensitive and critical cases, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding children and ensuring that offenders are held accountable.
