Man who raped a Manchester student at knifepoint jailed for 20 years
32 year old Courtney Adams also dragged his victim to a cash machine to steal money from her
A man convicted of the rape of a 19-year-old woman in Manchester has been sentenced to 20 years in jail with a further 5 years on license after release.
32 year old Courtney Adams of Chichester Road in Manchester raped the woman after breaking into an address on Cavendish Place at around 5:30am time on 29 November 2022.
The victim awoke to find Adams in her room holding a knife to her face and demanding cash and valuables. He then raped her.
Earlier on the night of the attack (29 November), Adams had broken into another victim’s address on Greater Western Street armed with a crowbar.
The victim heard Adam’s breaking in and on seeing him in her flat, she fled the house to seek assistance from her neighbours. Whilst she was gone, Adams tore through her home and stole numerous things including debit cards and numerous bags.
After making unsuccessful attempts to use the stolen cards in a late-night convenience store, Adams then made his way to Cavendish Place.
On gaining entry to the property, he took a knife from the kitchen and went into a bedroom. What followed was a truly horrific ordeal during which Adam’s pressed the knife to the nineteen-year-old victim’s face and threatened to harm her if she didn’t hand over valuables and cash.
Distressed and in fear of her life, the victim gave him a quantity of cash although he proceeded to ransack the room looking for more. He then attacked the victim, sexually assaulted, and raped her.
Adams then forced the victim to leave the property with him and go to a cashpoint where he demanded she withdraw a quantity of cash. On returning to the property on Cavendish Street, he made the victim climb back inside through a window and made off from scene with the money and valuables he had taken.
The victim left traumatised by what had happened to her, immediately called a friend and together they contacted the police.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launched an investigation to rapidly locate and arrest the man responsible for this horrific attack on a young girl. The operation involved extensive house-to-house enquiries and reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV.
Following appeals for information, officers were provided with compilations of CCTV by members of the public and using this footage, they were able to piece together the events of that night and follow the movements of the man later identified as Adams.
Investigators also discovered till receipts on the grass near Cavendish Place, which showed Adams attempting to use the stolen credit cards in the shop and linked him to the other burglary that had taken place earlier that evening on Great Western Street.
Investigators consulted the Greenheys Neighbourhood Team who, on viewing CCTV, identified Adams as the suspect.
This led to a warrant at Adams address, and following this phone work was completed which yielded crucial evidence that put Adams directly at the scenes at Great Western Street and Cavendish place during the times when the offences took place.
On 4 December 2022, Adams was arrested at Martindale Crescent in Longsight. When interviewed he gave no comment to all questions.
A short time later on 7 December, a warrant was conducted at an address Adams stayed at after committing the offence and a camera was found which belonged to the victim.
He was then charged and remanded until trial.
Detective Inspector Kat McKeown said:
“It’s difficult to convey just how traumatising this attack was for the victim. She was subjected to a harrowing ordeal by Adams who invaded her home where she should have felt safe and subjected her to a heinous and violent sexual assault.
“She was a young student and should have been enjoying living and studying in Manchester, but Adams took this from her and she will bear the psychological scars for the rest of her life.
“The investigation team worked round the clock to identify and arrest Adams and to gather insurmountable evidence against him. Catching the culprit was a priority to protect the local community and ensure he couldn’t harm anyone else.
“I want to thank the victim for the bravery and strength she has shown throughout this investigation – first in reporting the crime to Greater Manchester Police and then reliving the trauma of what happened to her that night to ensure Adams was found guilty on all accounts.
“Her actions have resulted in major breakthroughs in this investigation and her courage has stopped the offender and prevented other students and members of the public from becoming victims.
“Whilst the sentence today cannot change what has happened to her, I hope the knowledge she has secured this outcome will bring some comfort and I truly hope she and her family can now in some way start to rebuild their lives.”
There are organisations and support agencies available across Greater Manchester that can help and provide support for rape and sexual assault:
St. 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
Survivors Manchester - provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.