Man who attacked lone women at knifepoint in Manchester city centre found GUILTY of three counts of rape

A man who raped lone women at knifepoint in Manchester city centre has been found GUILTY by jurors.

Stuart Thomson, 34, attacked his victims on Mancunian Way in the early hours of the morning on January 31. Officers received three separate reports of rape, as well as one of attempted rape, all from the same location on the same night.

The 'dangerous sexual predator' was identified in police CCTV trawls through his 'distinctive' outfit of a hoodie with a grey insert on the back, a coat with green lining, a wool hat, and a high-vis style t shirt. He was found guilty of three counts of rape following a ten-day trial at Manchester Crown Court.

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At the scene, police also recovered a wool hat, which was mentioned in one of the victim statements. It was seized for forensics, but initially came back matching someone who did not match Thomson's description.

However, when detectives went to his address, which was a hostel, to conduct enquiries, they spotted Thomson wearing the distinctive green jacket that had been identified during the CCTV trawls.

Thomson was arrested and his address searched. Police seized several items of clothing which he was captured on CCTV wearing to commit the violent offences.

In police interview he answered “no comment” to every question put to him by detectives, but officers had built a strong enough case for the Crown Prosecution Service to authorise charges.

After pleading not guilty, on Thursday (November) 28, a jury found Thomson, of Buxton Road, Stockport, guilty of three counts of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, three counts of threatening another with a bladed article, and possession of a bladed article.

Thomson is due to appear at Crown Square Crown Court to be sentenced on Friday 17 January.

Detective Sergeant Jennifer Savazzi from our Longsight Criminal Investigations Department said: “It’s clear that Stuart Thomson is a dangerous sexual predator. He forcibly imposed himself upon these women in a violent and callous way with no consideration for the damage he was doing to them.

“I would like to praise our victims and survivors who have shown extraordinary courage throughout and have done all they can to assist the investigation and prosecution, it is their courage which has got us here today. This has been a lengthy and difficult process for them, and I am full of admiration for the courage and tenacity they have shown.

“By not accepting responsibility, Thompson has forced them to relive their pain throughout this trial. The harm offenders like Thomson cause are incalculable, but I hope this prison sentence goes some way in reassuring our victims, survivors, and members of the public that a dangerous man is off our streets.”