A woman raped at knifepoint during a sleepover 24 years ago has launched a lawsuit against Greater Manchester Police for their alleged failure to bring the suspect to justice. The victim, who we are calling "Susan" to protect her identity, was raped while staying at a friend's house in the Copster Hill area of Oldham in 1998, when she was a teenager.
Acting for her, Irvings Law is now alleging Breach of Article 3 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and "misfeasance in public office". They have submitted the claim to the chief constable of GMP Stephen Watson. The term misfeasance in public office refers in this case to action taken by police who have allegedly knowingly abused their authority or power or behaved recklessly or indifferently.
Susan's case was taken up after the Manchester Evening News put her in contact with the Rochdale-based sex abuse survivors organisation, the Maggie Oliver Foundation, founded by the renowned former detective. Immediately after her rape, Susan underwent a deeply personal examination at the St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester and forensic evidence was gathered.
