Rapist who attacked three women at knifepoint caught after police spot key detail

Stuart Thomson, 34, raped three women in one night before being caught by police who used CCTV footage to trace his 'distinctive' jacket - he now awaits sentencing

A vile man who raped three lone women at knifepoint was caught by police after they spotted a key detail on CCTV.

Stuart Thomson, 34, attacked his victims in Manchester city centre in the early hours of the morning on January 31. Police received three separate reports of rape - as well as one of attempted rape - from the same location on the same night.

He was identified 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 has now been found guilty of three counts of rape following a ten-day trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Police also recovered a wool hat at the scene which was mentioned in one of the victim statements, reports Manchester Evening News. 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 green jacket that had been identified on the CCTV. Thomson was arrested and his address searched. Police also 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 all questions 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, a jury on Thursday 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 Greater Manchester Police's 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."