Rapist targeted women and men on nights out

Sid Ali Djelid specifically sought out intoxicated people, police said

A rapist who targeted a woman and two men on nights out before stealing their mobile phones and credit cards has been jailed for life.

Sid Ali Djelid, 39, who targeted his victims in Manchester's Chinatown and Canal Street areas, was convicted in July of five counts of rape following a five-week trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Djelid, who initially gave a false name to police and the courts, was told earlier he will serve a minimum of 14 years.

One of his victims said: "I've lost my spark and the vibrant person in me has died."

A Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman said the case began with Djelid first appearing as Mourad Malki, 38, which was the name he gave the police, and the name used in several court hearings.

Greater Manchester Police said CCTV footage in the first rape investigation showed Djelid leading a female victim down a "secluded back street" near Chinatown on 18 February 2024, before raping her and stealing her phone early.

The phone was tracked to Cheetham Hill, very close to his then home.

He raped his second victim, who was visiting Manchester for work, on 12 June.

He spoke to the man outside a bar on Canal Street before walking him to a remote area near Richmond Street. He then raped the man and stole his phone, watch and a necklace.

Canal Street was one of the areas where Djelid targeted people

The final attack saw him rape and rob a tourist on 18 July.

Djelid offered to help the man back to his hotel and acted as a "concerned Good Samaritan", but led the victim to a secluded area near Jutland Street before assaulting him and stealing his mobile phone and wallet.

He used a stolen bank card at a service station in Cheetham Hill before attempting to make a further transaction, which was declined.

'Don't feel human'

A victim impact statement read in court said: "Directly after the attack I felt sick, violated and full of self-hating.

"I felt like collapsing and crying. I struggled to comprehend what had happened to me or put anything together.

"I lost all confidence and all trust after it had happened.

"As a direct result of what happened I won't approach people anymore if I needed help.

"I used to think of myself as a social butterfly - full of charisma - but what happened to me has destroyed me and rocked the very core of who I am.

"I don't feel pretty or good about myself. I have lost confidence and feel my identity is lost. I have been struggling to cope, and what has happened has impacted my life in many ways."

Another victim added: "In the coming days, I had a loss of appetite and struggled to sleep. I really didn't know what to do with myself.

"I have really struggled with my mental health and coming to terms with what happened to me. I really didn't feel like a human being anymore.

"I had completely isolated myself from those who I trusted the most. I was a confident person that liked to go out and socialise.

"This has stopped. I don't feel like I have the courage to go out anymore."

Djelid admitted four counts of theft at an earlier hearing.