A 30-year-old Greater Manchester man has received an immediate custodial sentence of 12 years at Manchester Crown Court after being found guilty of rape and admitting to intentional strangulation, robbery, and fraud targeting men he met on nights out.
Saleh Mahmud, born 8 March 1996, residing at Canterbury Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, appeared in the dock for sentence on Wednesday 4 November 2026 having been convicted at trial and entering guilty pleas to multiple violent and dishonesty offences.
The prosecution outlined that on 23 December 2025, the primary victim met Mahmud during an evening out in Manchester city centre. On the following day, 24 December 2025, the two travelled together to Oldham before Mahmud directed him to a secluded wooded area located in Failsworth. Despite the victim making it explicitly clear that he did not consent to sexual activity, Mahmud subjected him to rape.
Following the sexual violation, Mahmud threatened to kill the survivor and stole his mobile phone alongside his bank cards before leaving the area. Once in a place of safety, the victim alerted Greater Manchester Police and underwent a medical examination to provide forensic samples. Subsequent laboratory testing yielded a positive DNA match that conclusively identified Mahmud as the perpetrator.
On 29 December 2025, police officers executed an entry and search warrant at Mahmud’s home address in Ashton-under-Lyne, arresting him. During the search, investigators seized five mobile phones, snap bags containing white powder, more than £3,300 in cash, and three driving licences belonging to other individuals.
The seized property directly linked Mahmud to another robbery reported just days prior. In that separate incident, a second male victim met Mahmud on a night out before they returned to a residential address. Once inside, Mahmud assaulted the man, stole his mobile telephone and wallet, and fled the premises.
In Victim Impact Statements presented to the court, both survivors spoke candidly about the severe harm inflicted by Mahmud’s predatory actions. The survivor of the Failsworth attack described enduring debilitating anxiety, chronic fear, and a catastrophic loss of self-confidence that continues to affect his career, personal relationships, and everyday routine. The second victim explained how the violent theft severely damaged his ability to trust others, left him feeling constantly unsafe within his own home, and noted that the physical scar left by the assault serves as an unavoidable daily reminder of the ordeal.
Mahmud entered guilty pleas to the robbery, dishonesty, and violence charges, but denied the sexual offences. Following a Crown Court trial, a jury rejected his defence, convicting him across the indictment:
Two counts of rape
One count of intentional strangulation
One count of robbery
Two counts of fraud
One count of common assault
One count of possession of criminal property
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, the survivor of the sexual offences is protected by mandatory, lifelong statutory anonymity. Any publication, broadcast, or public dissemination of information capable of leading to his identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Sentencing Mahmud at Manchester Crown Court, the presiding judge condemned his targeted, predatory behaviour against vulnerable individuals and the extreme violence and threats used, ordering him to serve an immediate custodial term of 12 years’ imprisonment.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court placed Mahmud on the Sex Offenders Register for life and imposed stringent post-conviction protective orders.
Image – Offender Custody Photograph
For the latest updates and offender details, follow us on the Offender Database Facebook Page. If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on how to report a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.