Woman Accuses Manchester Police of Sexual Assault Inside The Jail

A 38-year-old woman who was detained for 40 hours for overconsumption of cocaine in 2021 alleged that she has been drugged and sexually assaulted by Manchester Police.

Zayna Iman was arrested by police officers in connection with overconsumption of cocaine on February 5 2021. Reportedly Iman was arrested at 1.53 am and body-cam footage from an officer shows she was taken into a police van six minutes later.

According to a media report, a nearby CCTV camera captured a police officer entering the van through a side door, but there is no body-cam footage of the journey until 3:26 am.

Imam claims, "My jeans are taken down, my underwear is cut off - knickers and the bra, as well as the top. They then put oversized custody shorts, with a belt on, and leave me face-down in the cell. Still unconscious, with no top on and no blanket given.

Iman obtained the footage using a subject access request and shared it with the former chief superintendent of GMP, Martin Harding, who said the strip search was unjustified.

Meanwhile, Policing minister Chris Philp said he was concerned by the allegations and would be raising them with GMP and the police watchdog.

"It does sound deeply troubling and it does need properly and thoroughly investigating. I'm going to make sure the IOPC [the Independent Office for Police Conduct) are aware of this and draw this case to their attention."

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, GMP's deputy chief constable, Terry Woods said he was highly concerned about
allegations against Greater Manchester Police which were aired in a television report. And hence, decided to make another referral to the IOPC in order to assure Iman and the public that all of her allegations will be rigorously and independently reviewed.