Former Supply Teacher Admits 21 Child Sex Offences at Schools in North West England

Abusali Rahman, 36, of Salford, pleaded guilty on Thursday at Bolton Crown Court to 21 child sex offences committed between December 2023 and June 2025. The offences targeted 13 schoolgirls across several schools in the North West of England. Rahman admitted 12 counts of taking indecent photographs of children by upskirting, four counts of publishing an obscene article, three counts of making indecent photographs of children, one count of voyeurism and one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child.

Police said Rahman was arrested in 2025 after a parent discovered an image of their daughter in school uniform on social media. The force's Online Child Abuse Investigation Team led the inquiry. After the guilty pleas, Rahman was remanded into custody. Sentencing is scheduled for September 1.

Defence counsel Emma Kehoe told the court that Rahman was aware he would receive a prison sentence and requested a psychiatric report before sentencing, citing a mental health crisis at the time of the offences. Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick said the victims remained central to the investigation and that schools, parents and guardians had been kept informed.

CPS senior prosecutor Alex Mann described the case as involving an abuse of trust and said the guilty pleas would spare victims from giving evidence at trial. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that all affected schools and families have been notified and urged anyone wishing to report an offence to contact 0161 856 1737.