Police Officer who used cadets scheme as “grooming playground” is jailed

©Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths — Predator Awareness

A Greater Manchester Police officer who used cadet scheme as “grooming playground” has been jailed for five years after being convicted of sexually assaulting teenage cadets and abusing his position within the force’s volunteer programme.

Adnan Ali, 36, was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of sexual assault and misconduct in a public office. Between 2015 and 2018, while running GMP’s cadet scheme, Ali targeted young people aged 15 to 18, sending them sexually explicit messages and committing assaults in various locations including a cadet camp, an office, and a car.

The court heard that Ali sent messages to teenagers which were described as “bordering on relentless,” including remarks about sexual activities, positions, preferences, and partners. He exchanged sexual photographs and offered to take one cadet to a brothel.

PC Adnan Ali, while on duty for Greater Manchester Police

Judge Denis Watson KC said Ali “deliberately ignored” guidelines for cadet schemes, which included principles of respect and safeguarding. He told the court: 

“Your vanity meant you decided you wanted to be seen as the star of the GMP cadet programme. Your real interest was yourself rather than the cadets, the public at large or the police force you purported to serve.”

He added: 

“The reputational damage you have caused to GMP and the police service generally and to cadet and apprentice schemes is huge.”

Anne Whyte KC, prosecuting, said Ali’s incentive was sexual gratification. She told the court: 

“The overwhelming common denominator from all of those is the scale of loss of trust in these young people for other people in authority.”

Eight of the nine victims provided impact statements describing the emotional and psychological effects of Ali’s actions.

Jane Osborne KC, defending, said a number of character references had been submitted to the court, including from parents of another cadet. She said Ali, a father-of-one, had been attacked while on duty in 2013 and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

Police mugshot of Adnan Ali

Ali was supported by eight family members in court during sentencing. He has since been dismissed from GMP and placed on the College of Policing’s barred list, preventing him from serving in any police force in the future.


Chief Superintendent Mike Allen, head of GMP’s professional standards branch, commended the bravery of the victims and said: 

“It is the view of GMP that he should never reap the benefits of having been an officer. 
He has already been added to the College of Policing’s barred list – preventing him from serving for the rest of his life, and we are now following the process to try to ensure that he loses his valuable pension.”

Efforts are underway to ensure Ali is not eligible for his police pension, GMP confirmed.

The investigation into Ali was managed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Regional director Catherine Bates said: 

“A huge amount of work had gone into ensuring Ali was held accountable for his actions. Just as importantly, this investigation has led to substantial changes being made to protect young people.”

She added that GMP had taken “swift action” to address the 41 recommendations made by the IOPC following its investigation.

The IOPC stated that GMP had implemented several reforms, including:
– Improvements to the training and guidance given to cadet leaders
– A standardised vetting process for cadet leaders
– Appointment of a central team to oversee cadet recruitment
– Introduction of an induction package to provide new intakes with key information
– Enhanced communication within cadet units
– Addressing the lack of supervision for cadet leaders
– Clarification on how to deal with breaches of the force’s code of ethics

Ali’s conviction and sentencing mark the conclusion of a multi-year investigation and disciplinary process.

Follow us on:

Read our latest articles:

Tom Blewitt

Leave a comment