TAHIR ALI'S DISTURBING CRIMES ON MANCHESTER METROLINK: A DANGEROUS SEXUAL PREDATOR
A man identified as Tahir Ali, aged 37, has been officially labeled as a significant threat to women following a series of disturbing sexual assaults on the Manchester Metrolink tram system.His actions, which involved targeting complete strangers, have sparked widespread concern about safety on public transportation in the city.
Ali’s criminal record is deeply troubling, with the court revealing that he has a history of six previous sexual assault convictions.
His latest offenses, committed in Manchester, have only added to his reputation as a dangerous individual with a pattern of predatory behavior.
The incidents took place at Exchange Square, a major hub for the tram network connecting Rochdale and Oldham, where Ali repeatedly targeted women for his own sexual gratification.
According to court proceedings, Ali’s first victim was a university student who was waiting to board a tram on November 14 of the previous year.
She noticed that Ali was staring at her while she stood in line.
Once she boarded the tram, Ali initially sat behind her but then moved to sit directly beside her.
The court heard that he began to move his hands up and down her leg in a sexual manner, causing her to feel uncomfortable and frightened.
When she asked him to stop, Ali got up and moved away, but the incident left her feeling deeply disturbed.
Weeks later, on December 22, Ali boarded another tram heading towards Rochdale at Exchange Square.
This time, his victim was a 16-year-old girl accompanied by her mother.
During the journey, the girl became aware of Ali pressing his body against her bottom.
When she turned around, she saw that Ali’s penis was erect.
Her mother immediately shouted at Ali as he left the tram at Failsworth, but he did not stop there.
Instead, he proceeded to board another tram heading back into the city center, continuing his disturbing behavior.
Judge Tom Gilbart expressed his horror at the nature of the crimes, especially noting that Ali committed the assault on the 16-year-old girl in the presence of her mother.
The judge emphasized the gravity of Ali’s actions, stating, “It is horrifying that you sexually assaulted a 16-year-old victim as her own mother was present in the tram carriage.
You were travelling on the Metrolink system for the purposes of sexual gratification.” The first victim described Ali’s conduct as “disgusting,” and in her statement read aloud in court, she expressed her fear of being alone on the tram, worried that Ali might follow her home.
The younger victim also shared her feelings of helplessness, saying, “I felt like I couldn’t do anything to stop the male touching me.
I felt like the male had power over me.
I don’t want to see this male on the tram again.
He is a risk to females.
I want him to know that he can’t get away with what he has done to me.” Ali’s actions were captured on CCTV footage from the Metrolink system, which confirmed his presence at the scenes of the assaults.
Prosecutor Nick Ross described Ali as a “persistent sexual predator,” highlighting his history of previous offenses, which include attacks in a shop and a library.
Despite being caught and questioned, Ali continued to deny any wrongdoing, claiming he had been “set up” during a pre-sentencing interview with a probation officer.
In his defense, lawyer David Morton stated that Ali was enrolled in a first-year university course in business and finance before his incarceration.
He described Ali’s behavior as driven by compulsions that he had been unable to resist, attempting to mitigate the severity of his actions.
As part of the court’s ruling, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order was imposed on Ali, effectively banning him from using the Manchester Metrolink system.
Ali, who resides on Kelverlow Street in Oldham, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and sentenced to three years in prison for his crimes.
The case has raised serious concerns about safety and the need for increased vigilance on public transportation in Manchester.
