Sid Ali Djelid lay in wait before attacking his victims in the vicinity of the Gay Village in Manchester city centre
Sid Ali Djelid lay in wait before attacking his victims (Image: GMP)
The face of the evil rapist who preyed on his victims in Manchester city centre before attacking them has been revealed for the first time.
Sid Ali Djelid lay in wait before attacking his victims in the vicinity of Canal Street. He scoured out ‘easy prey’ before going on to rape them and steal from them; swiping their phones and jewellery before spending on their bank cards.
Djelid, also known as Mourad Malki, carried out his vile attacks between February and July 2024. He deliberately targeted intoxicated victims in the city centre to take advantage.
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Leading detectives called his crimes ‘heinous’ and ‘premeditated’ as he was found guilty of five counts of rape at Manchester Crown Court.
The first of the three attacks happened during the early hours of February 18 last year. CCTV footage showed Djelid leading his female victim down a secluded back street near to China Town before raping her and stealing her mobile phone and making off.
The victim, whose identity is protected, had visited a number of bars on Canal Street, and by her own admission was ‘extremely drunk’. At some stage she ended up in a car but could not recall how and why, before she was dragged out and attacked.
Djelid preyed on his victims, many who had been drinking in the Canal Street area(Image: ABNM Photography)
Djelid raped the woman twice before stealing her phone, Manchester Crown Court heard. The woman tracked her phone using ‘Find my iPhone’ leading her to the defendant’s address.
Djelid believed to be an Algerian national, then struck again on June 12. His male victim had been visiting Manchester with work when he was approached outside a bar on Canal Street.
After the pair engaged in conversation, Djelid walked the victim to a remote location close to Richmond Street and raped him.
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The defendant then ‘aggressively’ raped him in an alleyway before stealing his phone and fleeing, along with his watch and gold necklace. The phone was later traced near to Vallea Court in Cheetham Hill.
Another man went for a night out with his partner in the city centre on July 18. During the evening they became separated and he went to look for him outside. He described himself as ‘very intoxicated and disorientated’.
Acting as a good Samaritan, Djelid approached the victim, who was visiting Manchester, and offered to assist him back to his hotel as he was lost. He led the victim to a secluded area of the canal at Jutland Street and raped him.
Djelid took the victims phone and wallet and pushed him to the ground before making his escape. A short time later, he visited a service station in Cheetham Hill and used one of the bank cards to make a fraudulent transaction.
He pleaded guilty to four offences of theft but denied the sexual offences at trial.
Manchester Crown Court(Image: MEN Media)
Giving evidence, he told jurors: “I didn’t do these things, I’m a thief, I steal.” He later added: “My criminal record is all about theft. I do not assault people, I only steal.”
But following a trial, Djelid, 39, of Smedley Road in Manchester, was found guilty of five counts of rape. He will be sentenced on October 6.
Senior Investigating Officer Paul Davies from GMP’s Major Incident Team said: “Firstly, I would like to commend all the victims who came forward. Without them Djelid may not have been caught and could still be prowling the streets.
“Being drunk is not a crime. Everybody who visits the city centre should feel safe. Safe in the knowledge that they can go and enjoy themselves without fear of being attacked.
“What makes these crimes particularly heinous is the deliberate and premeditated nature of Djelid’s actions. He would specifically seek out intoxicated individuals, often presenting himself as an upstanding member of the public, before leading them to secluded locations.
“He would then subject them to horrific sexual attacks and steal their belongings which included mobile phones and bank cards which he would then use.
“These convictions reflect not only the severity of Djelid’s crimes but also the lasting impact they have had on his victims. Such predatory behaviour has no place in Greater Manchester, and those who feel it is acceptable to commit offences of this sort will be brought to justice.
Where to go if you’ve been affected by rape or sexual assault
– Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live, or have been sexually assaulted, within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
– Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
– We Are Survivors provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182 for help.
– Always call 999 in an emergency
“If you have been affected by this case or believe that you may have been a victim of Sid Ali Djelid, then please contact us on 101 or via our website www.gmp.police.uk and make a report using the ‘Live Chat’ function in the bottom right corner quoting Operation Baycliff
“All reports made to us will be fully investigated and specialist officers will be on hand to support you through the investigation.”