Man who ‘impatiently’ sexually assaulted girl and woman on Manchester trams jailed | UK news

Tahir Ali, 37, targeted the woman and teenager on city center trams while “surrounded by dozens of people” in November and December last year, police said.

A man has been jailed and banned from trams after sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl and a woman on Manchester’s public transport network.

Tahir Ali deliberately touched the woman and teenager in a sexual manner on city center trams despite pleading guilty, his trial at Manchester Crown Court heard.

Police arrested the 37-year-old after taking statements from victims and witnesses and checking CCTV footage.

Ali, of Lees in Oldham, was jailed for three years for sexually assaulting the woman in November and the teenager in December last year.

He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will ban him from any Metrolink trams, platforms or car parks.

Ali pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault.

PC Matthew Cowin, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “This sentence shows our commitment to keeping passengers safe and knowing they can use the transport network without any concerns about their safety.

“Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and our proactive patrols are why we ensure visible enforcement and insurance for all passengers.”

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GMP’s transport unit carried out its investigation alongside Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

Kate Green, from TfGM’s TravelSafe Partnership, said: “Tahir Ali used busy services to try to cover up his offence, which he did frantically and while surrounded by dozens of people.

“Thanks to the bravery of his victims in coming forward and the work of the TravelSafe Partnership – particularly the police – following these crimes, he has now been brought to justice.”