Three women who smiled, hugged and complimented their victims before robbing them are among the criminals locked up this week in Greater Manchester. Geta Schian, Geneza Dumitru, and Sefora Mazarache worked together to charm and distract their victims before stealing their jewellery. Also jailed this week were two killer drivers — one who was high on nitrous oxide, the other who sped through a red light. Prison terms were handed out to the worst offenders as Manchester Evening News reporters covered the most serious cases.
Thomas O'Rourke: Historic Sex Offender Jailed for 26 Years
Thomas O'Rourke, 74, of Newton Heath, was sentenced to 26 years at Bolton Crown Court on Monday 6 July after being found guilty of 31 counts of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault against five survivors. The offences occurred at various points across different decades — from the 1970s until the 1990s — across areas including Middleton and Blackley. Greater Manchester Police said the offences started when some of the victims were children. O'Rourke will likely die behind bars, according to the court. His survivors spoke out after the sentencing, saying they had carried the abuse with them for decades.
Geta Schian, Geneza Dumitru, and Sefora Mazarache: Distraction Burglars Jailed
Geta Schian, 33, Geneza Dumitru, 35, and Sefora Mazarache, 27, have been jailed for a string of distraction burglaries in Manchester city centre. The three women worked together to charm and distract their victims, often complimenting or hugging them before quickly attempting to make off with their jewellery. In one incident, they kissed and complimented a woman before snatching a bracelet off her wrist. The trio targeted lone and vulnerable women, stealing valuable jewellery in a series of coordinated thefts.
Imaad Choudry: Drugs Concealed at Creamfields Festival
Imaad Choudry, 32, from Stockport, was jailed after stashing a haul of drugs up his bum to sell at Creamfields Festival. Police dogs 'took just seconds to sniff him out', Cheshire Police said. Choudry attempted to enter the festival in Daresbury, Cheshire, on Sunday, August 24, last year. A drugs dog indicated he was in possession of illegal drugs, and security took him to a private area where he 'openly admitted' concealing cocaine and MDMA. A total of 14 bags of cocaine and nine MDMA tablets were recovered, with an estimated street value of between £640 and £800.
Christopher Almond: Drink Driver Killed Motorcyclist
Christopher Almond, 51, from Little Hulton, was jailed after speeding through a red light while more than twice the alcohol limit, killing a motorcyclist. Almond, who has a history of dangerous driving and who served time for killing his own brother, undertook a stationary line of cars waiting to turn off the East Lancs Road in Salford, crashing his Audi A5 into David Connah's BMW motorbike. Mr Connah, 43, a father who had been due to marry his long-time partner within months, suffered horrific injuries after being propelled into bushes 80 metres from his motorbike and died in hospital later. On Tuesday July 7, 2026, Almond was jailed at Manchester Crown Court after admitting causing death by dangerous driving and drink driving.
Kenneth Goodman: Pensioner Jailed for Historic Sexual Abuse
Kenneth Goodman, 76, of Greendale Drive, Radcliffe, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years and three counts of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 14 after two brave women came forward and disclosed to police the abuse they endured at the hands of Goodman. One victim was coerced into sexual activity and reported that he made inappropriate comments towards her. Investigations then led police to uncover a second victim, who reported how she was sexually abused by Goodman. He will serve six years in prison and will be placed on the sex offender's register for life.
Daud Nidhal Mohammed: Hit-and-Run Driver High on Nitrous Oxide
Daud Nidhal Mohammed, 23, from Salford, was seen inhaling balloons filled with laughing gas at a petrol station moments before he drove his black Audi A5 over Sam Johnston, a bright physicist and expert in x-ray technology. Mr Johnston, 28, was returning from a general election party when he was hit just before 3am on July 5, 2024. As the University of Manchester masters graduate lay motionless at the junction of Trinity Way and Egerton Street, he was run over by a second car being driven by a blameless taxi driver. Mr Johnston suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene despite attempts to revive him. Mohammed messaged his sister blaming his victim, but admitted: 'I'm going jail.' He was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving.
