A former police officer who sexually assaulted and sent indecent messages to young people on a cadet scheme he was in charge of has been jailed for five years.
Adnan Ali, 36, was found guilty in April of five counts of sexual abuse and 15 counts of misconduct in a public office.
On Friday, a judge at Liverpool crown court jailed him for five years for the crimes, committed between 2015 and 2018, involving young men and women on a volunteer police cadet scheme run by Greater Manchester police (GMP).
The court heard Ali ran the training scheme as a “grooming playground” to exploit the young people he was responsible for.
Ali sexually assaulted three victims, aged between 15 and 18, and sent sexual messages that were “bordering on relentless”, the court heard.
Judge Dennis Watson KC said Ali “deliberately ignored” guidelines for cadet schemes, which included principles of respect and safeguarding.
He said: “Your vanity meant you decided you wanted to be seen as the star of Greater Manchester police cadet programme.
“Your real interest was yourself rather than the cadets, the public at large or the police force you purported to serve.”
The court heard he “indulged in making sexual remarks” to the young people and sent messages about sexual activities, positions, preferences and partners as well as exchanging sexual photographs.
One of his victims was sexually assaulted while on a cadet camp, while other incidents took place in an office and in a car, the court heard.
The judge said: “The reputational damage you have caused to Greater Manchester police and the police service generally and to cadet and apprentice schemes is huge.”
Anne Whyte KC, prosecuting, said Ali’s incentive was sexual gratification.
She said eight of the nine victims had provided statements about the impact on them. “The overwhelming common denominator from all of those is the scale of loss of trust in these young people for other people in authority.”
After the sentencing, it emerged Ali was sacked by GMP in April 2022 after a hearing found him guilty of misconduct. The hearing was held in secret and its outcome not revealed so as not to prejudice court proceedings. GMP is also seeking for him to forfeit his pension.
Jane Osborne KC, defending, said a number of character references, including from parents of another cadet, had been submitted to the court.
She said Ali, a father of one, was attacked while on duty in 2013 and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.
Kate Green, Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor for policing, said it was an “appalling and sickening” case.
“Police officers are there to keep the rest of us safe,” she said. “But instead of being a role model, Ali abused his position to prey on vulnerable young cadets who simply wanted to learn so they themselves could one day protect the public.”
Ch Supt Mike Allen, the head of GMP’s professional standards branch, said Ali was in prison thanks “to the commendable bravery of the victims and integrity of those who worked with him”.
He added: “At a time when policing is subject to such intense scrutiny, particularly in relation to sexual misconduct and abuse of position, Ali’s behaviour will, understandably, damage trust and confidence in the force.
“However, the public should be reassured by the action … taken to secure his arrest, suspension, prosecution, and dismissal.”
