Key Points
- Greater Manchester Police have made charges against Mohammed Akram, 49, of Wyresdale Road, Bolton, for 15 child sexual and exploitation offenses.
- The offenses include five offenses of child abduction, five offenses of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person for the purpose of exploitation, three offenses of sexual assault, one offense of sexual activity with a child, and one offense of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug.
- These offenses arose following an investigation carried out by the Complex Safeguarding Team of Greater Manchester Police in Bolton.
- Akram was remanded in custody and is expected to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
- It should be noted that these charges are allegations, and at this time, Akram has not been found guilty in connection with these charges.
- The story was first reported by Greater Manchester Police and picked up by the media including The Bolton News, The Oldham Times, the Manchester Evening News and other regional press outlets.
Bolton (Manchester Mirror) October 22, 2026 — A 49-year-old Bolton man has been charged with 15 alleged offences involving child abduction, exploitation and sexual offending following an investigation by the force’s Complex Safeguarding Team.
As stated by Greater Manchester Police, Mohammed Akram, whose date of birth was given as July 10, 1977, and who lives on Wyresdale Road in Bolton, has been charged with five counts of child abduction and five counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
The force also said he faces three counts of sexual assault, one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug. The Manchester Evening News reported the same 15 charges and said Akram had been placed in custody.
Why Was The Man Charged?
The charges followed an investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s Complex Safeguarding Team in Bolton, which investigates child sexual exploitation and related safeguarding concerns. In its public statement, the force said the team had secured 15 charges against a male in connection with alleged sexual and exploitative offences against children.
The police announcement did not identify the alleged victims or give dates for the alleged offences. It also did not provide details of the evidence said to support the charges. The Bolton News reported that the case followed a Greater Manchester Police investigation, while the Manchester Evening News similarly attributed the allegations to the force’s complex safeguarding unit.
When Will Mohammed Akram Appear In Court?
Akram was due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 22, 2026, according to the Manchester Evening News. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that he had been remanded in custody ahead of the court appearance.
The first hearing is expected to deal with initial procedural matters, including confirmation of the charges and legal representation. Further hearings and any trial would be handled by the courts in due course. Neither Greater Manchester Police nor the published reports identified a date for a future hearing beyond the initial appearance.
What Have Police And Media Reports Said?
Greater Manchester Police published the charging announcement on October 22, 2026, naming Akram and listing the alleged offences. The force described the case as involving alleged sexual and exploitative offences against children in Bolton.
The Bolton News reported: “Bolton man Mohammed Akram, 49, charged with 15 alleged child abduction, exploitation and sexual offences following a Greater Manchester Police investigation.” The Oldham Times carried the same report under the headline “Man is charged with 15 child sexual and exploitation offences”.
The Leigh Journal also reported that Akram had been charged with child abduction, exploitation, sexual assault and drug supply offences, and said he had been remanded to appear in court. The Manchester Evening News reported that Akram “hails from Pakistan”, a detail also included in Greater Manchester Police’s original statement.
What Happens Next In The Case?
Akram remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until he is convicted by a court. The charges now form part of criminal proceedings, and the prosecution will need to prove the allegations to the criminal standard of proof.
No plea has been reported in the available coverage. Greater Manchester Police’s statement confirmed the charges and remand but did not say whether Akram had entered a plea or indicate when a trial might take place. The Manchester Evening News reported only that he was scheduled to appear before magistrates on October 22.
Background Of The Development
Greater Manchester Police’s Complex Safeguarding Team works on cases involving child exploitation, including child sexual exploitation, and coordinates safeguarding responses with partner agencies. The force’s announcement said the Bolton team had secured the 15 charges against Akram.
The case has been reported across the Newsquest regional network, including The Bolton News, The Oldham Times and the Leigh Journal, as well as by the Manchester Evening News. All reports are based on Greater Manchester Police’s public charging statement and do not report a conviction or sentence in relation to these latest allegations.
Prediction: How Could This Affect Bolton Residents?
For Bolton residents, the development is likely to increase attention on child safeguarding, reporting routes and the work of Greater Manchester Police’s specialist teams. Parents, carers, schools and community organisations may watch the court process closely, particularly because the allegations involve child abduction and exploitation.
If the case proceeds to trial, further public reporting could depend on court reporting restrictions, the ages of any alleged victims and what evidence is placed before the courts. For now, the practical effect is that residents are likely to see continued police and media focus on child exploitation in Bolton, while the legal outcome remains unresolved.
