Private tutor sexually abused girls in their homes

Umair Iqbal was sentenced to 11 years behind bars

A private tutor who sexually assaulted five children has been jailed for 11 years.

Umair Iqbal, 38, abused the students, aged between eight and 18, over a 10-year period while tutoring his victims in maths and to learn the Koran, Manchester Crown Court heard.

He regularly attended the homes of the young women and girls to conduct scheduled lessons in Manchester and Middleton.

Iqbal, of Limeside Road, Oldham, must also serve three years on licence after his release and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining orders for his victims and their families.

Following the sentencing, Det Con Alex Dodd, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "All five victims were young Muslim girls from good families, abused by a person in a position of trust and silenced through fear of getting in trouble or being blamed for the abuse."

He was sentenced on Thursday following a four-week trial last month when he was convicted by a jury of 29 out of 30 counts of sexual assault.

Police first launched inquiries in October 2020 when a 15-year-old victim came forward, after years of believing the abuse was her own fault.

A subsequent investigation revealed four more victims, including one girl who had been abused from the age of eight.

Det Con Dodd said: "Iqbal befriended families and used the good reputation of a community to hide behind his sordid sexual agenda."