This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-22795154

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Men jailed over rape of boy, 14, in Manchester Debenhams Men jailed over rape of boy, 14, in Manchester Debenhams
(about 1 hour later)
Two men have been jailed for 15 years for raping a boy, 14, in the toilets of a Manchester department store. Two men have been jailed for 15 years for raping a boy in the toilets of a Manchester department store on a busy Saturday afternoon.
Alex Wilson-Fletcher, 42, of Oldham Street, Manchester; and Abdelkader El-Janabi, 55, of Artillery Court, Ardwick; attacked the teenager in June. Alex Wilson-Fletcher, 42, and Abdelkader El-Janabi, 55, attacked the 14-year-old boy last June.
The men approached the boy in the Arndale Centre before leading him to the Debenhams store on Market Street. The men approached him in the Arndale Centre before leading him to the Debenhams store on Market Street.
Manchester Crown Court heard El-Janabi was a former intelligence officer in Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime.Manchester Crown Court heard El-Janabi was a former intelligence officer in Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime.
A "sustained attack" took place on the boy after he was marched to the toilets of the store on a busy Saturday afternoon, the jury was told. A "sustained attack" took place on the boy after he was marched to the toilets of the store.
The boy then reported the attack and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launched a public appeal to trace the offenders, including issuing CCTV images of the suspects. The court heard the boy was told: "Come with us. Do what we say. If you try to run we'll get you."
'Shock and disgust' 'Panic attacks'
El-Janabi and Wilson-Fletcher, a law firm worker, were tracked down after images from CCTV were circulated around the UK by police. El-Janabi, of Artillery Court, Ardwick, knew the Debenhams toilets well and had been caught loitering there in the past by shop staff who had ejected him, the jury was told.
Judge Michael Leeming QC, sentencing, told them: "In all probability, what you did to him in his formative years will stay with him. The court heard El-Janabi was the one who physically raped the teenager, but Wilson-Fletcher, of Oldham Street, Manchester, was convicted on the basis he took part in a joint enterprise.
Judge Michael Leeming QC told Wilson-Fletcher he was "at least a lookout" and had encouraged the other defendant.
The boy was terrified the pair would follow him once he broke free from them and he walked six and a half miles to a friend's house.
El-Janabi and Wilson-Fletcher, a law firm worker, were tracked down after CCTV images were circulated around the UK by police.
Judge Leeming QC, sentencing, told them: "In all probability, what you did to him in his formative years will stay with him.
"Neither of you thought of that at the time. You were more concerned with your own sexual gratification.""Neither of you thought of that at the time. You were more concerned with your own sexual gratification."
He said the boy, who is now 15, suffers from depression and panic attacks and has difficulty sleeping.
'Shock and disgust'
Neither of the defendants has any previous convictions and the judge described them as "mature, intelligent men".
He said El-Janabi had been an intelligence officer in Saddam's regime but was now a British citizen.
The pair were convicted by a jury of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault following a nine-day trial in April.The pair were convicted by a jury of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault following a nine-day trial in April.
Supt Stuart Ellison, from GMP, said the crime had "quite rightly shocked the community". The court heard that both men continue to claim they are innocent. Judge Leeming said El-Janabi had not shown "any remorse, empathy or insight".
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Supt Stuart Ellison, from Greater Manchester Police, said the crime had "quite rightly shocked the community".
He said: "Everyone felt a sense of shock and disgust when we publicised this case and we still share those feelings.He said: "Everyone felt a sense of shock and disgust when we publicised this case and we still share those feelings.
"However, it is important that people understand that this was an isolated incident and we continue to reassure the city centre community that there was no wider threat to the young people who visit or work in Manchester city centre.""However, it is important that people understand that this was an isolated incident and we continue to reassure the city centre community that there was no wider threat to the young people who visit or work in Manchester city centre."