A ‘sexual predator’ Stockport Rapist, Stuart Thomson, who assaulted solitary women at knifepoint in Manchester city centre has been convicted of three charges of rape.
Stuart Thomson, 34, assaulted his victims on Mancunian Way during the early hours of January 31st.
Greater Manchester Police received three distinct claims of rape and one report of attempted rape, all originating from the same place on the same night.
A manhunt commenced, with officers scrutinising CCTV footage, where Stuart Thomson was observed donning a peculiar ensemble.
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 Stuart Thomson’s description.
However, when detectives went to his address, which was a hostel, to conduct enquiries, they spotted Stuart Thomson wearing a distinctive green jacket that had been identified during the CCTV trawls.
After pleading not guilty, on 28 November, a jury found Stuart 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 following a ten-day trial at Manchester Crown Court.
Detective Sergeant Jennifer Savazzi from Greater Manchester Police 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, Stuart Thomson 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.”
Stuart Thomson is due to be sentenced in January 2025.
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