Police officer convicted of sexual offences and misconduct in a public office

A Greater Manchester Police officer has been convicted of multiple counts of misconduct in a public office and sexual offences over a three-and-a-half-year period.

Mohammed Adnan Ali, 36, had been working as a volunteer Police Cadet Leader since 2013 and a Student Officer Development and Assessment Coordinator since 2016. Both roles brought him into contact with young people, many of whom were vulnerable, and some with aspirations of becoming serving police officers themselves.

Ali presented as a trustworthy and inspirational leader. His police career had been a successful one, he had won numerous awards for his work with young people and had been highly regarded by some of his colleagues. Young cadets would look up to him as a role model.

In October 2018 another more sinister side to Mohammed Adnan Ali was revealed. One young person, who worked under Ali’s supervision, reported to a colleague that Ali had been behaving inappropriately towards him. It soon became clear that they were not the only one. Other young cadets and apprentices under his supervision and care had also been the subject of the most inappropriate conduct.

Greater Manchester Police, managed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, commenced a lengthy investigation. It uncovered countless inappropriate sexualised messages, sexual images and behaviour from Ali towards young people in his care as well as sexual assaults. On some days, hundreds of messages would be sent. They were sent from the early hours of the morning until late at night. He sent highly inappropriate photographs of himself and would encourage other young people to send images to him in return.

The messages were highly inappropriate for an officer in his position and included: “Just lay in bed…wish u were here xx” and “Wish you were in the bath with me”.

Ali was arrested and charged. He denied 15 counts of misconduct in a public office and five counts of sexual assault against three teenagers.

Following the five week trial Ali was convicted of all 20 offences. He will be sentenced on 23 June 2023.

Karen Tonge, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West’s Complex Casework Unit said: “As a police officer Ali was expected to adhere to the strictest standards of behaviour and professional conduct. This was particularly so as he was working directly with young and vulnerable people in his care.

“Ali grossly abused his authority and exploited his position over a sustained period. He abused his position of trust to deliberately instigate inappropriate relationships with these young people for sexual gratification. Many were vulnerable and many looked up to him.

“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked hard with Greater Manchester Police to build a strong case to put before the jury including lengthy phone evidence and eye witness testimony.

“I would like to thank the victims for bravely reporting the matters and helping us to bring him to justice.

“Where there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so, the CPS will always robustly prosecute offences such as these.”