Tahir Ali, aged 37 from Oldham, has been jailed for three years and banned from the Metrolink network following a conviction of sexual assault. He was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault following incidents involving a woman and a teenage girl on board trams.
He intentionally touched the two females in a sexual manner on trams despite being challenged.
Greater Manchester Police’s Transport Unit worked with TfGM to find evidence of the assaults with analysis of CCTV and witness and victim accounts. He was identified from CCTV images and charged and remanded. His case was heard at Manchester Crown Court on 10th May 2024 where he was found guilty.
PC Matthew Cowin, from the GMP’s Transport Unit, said: “This sentence shows our commitment to keep passengers safe and in the knowledge they can use the transport network without any concerns around their safety. Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated, and our proactive patrols are the reason we provide visible enforcement and reassurance to all passengers.
“This investigation and the bravery of the victims to report and recount their experiences have ensured we have been able to apply and be granted a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which has strict restrictions in place to prevent re-offending due to the risk he poses because of his behaviour.
“Working alongside TfGM we encourage all passengers to report any incidents directly to officers and staff in person, or by calling 101, in full confidence. Alternatively, where women who may feel trapped and unable to call 101, they can use the Live Chat on our website to link in directly with a GMP call handler. The call points on platforms at stations and red call points on board trams can also connect you to the Bee Network 24/7 control room.”