A supply teacher has pleaded guilty to a series of child sex offences after covertly taking more than 100 photographs up the skirts of teenage girls while working at multiple schools. Abusali Rahman, 36, who taught English, was arrested following a parent's report to police about an image of their child in school uniform being circulated on social media.
Investigation Details
An investigation into upskirting and voyeurism revealed that Rahman targeted 13 girls aged between 13 and 16 across seven high schools in Bury, Bolton, and Salford over an 18-month period. All affected schools and parents have been informed. However, police are urgently trying to identify four additional girls from two high schools whose images were found after Rahman's arrest but remain unidentified.
Court Proceedings
Appearing via video link at Bolton Crown Court, Rahman admitted to 21 child sex offences. Recorder Geoffrey Lowe adjourned sentencing until September 1 to allow for a psychiatric report. Rahman's defence barrister, Emma Kehoe, stated: 'He was going through a mental health crisis at the time.'
Details of Offences
Rahman, a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford, became a qualified teacher in 2023. The charges include:
- Twelve counts of taking an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child by upskirting.
- Four counts of publishing an obscene article involving AI-generated sexualised images.
- Three counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child involving AI-generated images.
- One count of distributing an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child by sharing an upskirting image.
- One count of operating equipment beneath clothing without consent.
The offences occurred between December 2023 and June 2025, with all upskirting charges linked to incidents in schools.
Police and CPS Response
Detective Sergeant Simon France stated: 'Protecting children is our highest priority. All parents and guardians of those affected and their schools have been made aware of our investigation.' Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick added: 'The victims have been at the forefront of our investigation, and we have kept their parents and guardians and their schools informed and supported throughout this process.'
Alex Mann, senior prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, commented: 'This was a horrifying case involving an abuse of trust that affected multiple young victims. Rahman fell well below the standards expected of his role – first by sharing sexualised deepfake images online, before escalating to upskirting and voyeurism offences.'
Rahman has not worked in schools since his arrest. Safeguarding teams are involved, and specialist support is available for all affected.
