AIDAN THOMPSON'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN HYDE AND MANCHESTER ARNDale CENTRE
| Red Rose Database
Hyde Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, police officer Aidan Thompson from Hyde has been convicted of a series of voyeuristic crimes committed while on duty. The allegations came to light after Thompson was caught secretly filming women, including a teenage girl, in public spaces, raising serious concerns about trust and misconduct within law enforcement.
On October 6 of the previous year, a vigilant security guard at Manchester’s Arndale Centre noticed Thompson following a teenage girl through the busy shopping mall. The officer was carrying a bag with a hole cut into its corner, which he intermittently swung at the girl’s legs as he trailed her. The guard observed Thompson stopping periodically to check a small camera hidden inside the bag, which he appeared to be using to record the girl without her knowledge. At one point, Thompson paused to ensure his device was functioning properly before leaving the store behind the young victim.
Prosecutor Francis McEntee described Thompson’s suspicious behavior during the court hearing at Preston Crown Court, stating, “He maintains a following distance, stalking his prey around the store, stopping from time to time swinging the bag in an upward motion.”
Following his arrest, police investigations revealed that Thompson, who was employed by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at the time, had a disturbing history of covert recordings. Officers discovered that he had saved footage of four other victims on memory sticks found at his Hyde residence, which he shared with his wife. The court heard that Thompson’s illicit activities extended beyond the shopping mall; he had taken a video after being called to a woman’s flat to investigate a report of sexual assault. Instead of focusing solely on the investigation, he filmed up her flatmate’s miniskirt.
Further evidence uncovered footage of two women undressing in changing rooms, and another victim was filmed from behind while wearing tight trousers. These recordings were made without the victims’ knowledge or consent, highlighting the extent of Thompson’s voyeuristic behavior.
The police also found a bizarre scene in Thompson’s home involving a locker room, where he was seen dropping items into the crotch of a woman’s lycra leotard. Additionally, it was revealed that Thompson had been satisfying his illicit urges while on duty. One such incident involved him filming up a woman’s skirt after she had called the police to report an alleged sexual assault. During that incident, Thompson was sent to secure the crime scene at her flat while she left with officers to give a statement. While waiting, he took the opportunity to film her flatmate’s miniskirt and later gave her a lift into town for a night out, all without the victims’ knowledge.
The impact of Thompson’s actions was profound, with one victim commenting, “If you can’t trust a police officer, who can you trust?” His misconduct has severely undermined public confidence in law enforcement, especially given his role as a police officer.
Thompson’s behavior was met with strong condemnation in court. Judge Mark Brown QC sentenced him to 14 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of misconduct in a public office and outraging public decency. The judge emphasized the gravity of Thompson’s betrayal, stating, “You have not only let yourself down, you have let the force down. In my judgment, your actions amounted to an enormous abuse not only of trust but of your authority as a police officer. Hardly surprising that this conduct should undermine public confidence in police officers.”
Currently suspended from duty, Thompson faces imminent dismissal from GMP. His family, colleagues, and the community in Hyde were reportedly “staggered” by his actions, which starkly contrast with his previously perceived dedication. His defense, led by Bernadette Baxter, argued that Thompson was suffering from psychiatric difficulties and would soon lose his job, expressing that he was experiencing “shame and ignominy” as a consequence of his misconduct.
On October 6 of the previous year, a vigilant security guard at Manchester’s Arndale Centre noticed Thompson following a teenage girl through the busy shopping mall. The officer was carrying a bag with a hole cut into its corner, which he intermittently swung at the girl’s legs as he trailed her. The guard observed Thompson stopping periodically to check a small camera hidden inside the bag, which he appeared to be using to record the girl without her knowledge. At one point, Thompson paused to ensure his device was functioning properly before leaving the store behind the young victim.
Prosecutor Francis McEntee described Thompson’s suspicious behavior during the court hearing at Preston Crown Court, stating, “He maintains a following distance, stalking his prey around the store, stopping from time to time swinging the bag in an upward motion.”
Following his arrest, police investigations revealed that Thompson, who was employed by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at the time, had a disturbing history of covert recordings. Officers discovered that he had saved footage of four other victims on memory sticks found at his Hyde residence, which he shared with his wife. The court heard that Thompson’s illicit activities extended beyond the shopping mall; he had taken a video after being called to a woman’s flat to investigate a report of sexual assault. Instead of focusing solely on the investigation, he filmed up her flatmate’s miniskirt.
Further evidence uncovered footage of two women undressing in changing rooms, and another victim was filmed from behind while wearing tight trousers. These recordings were made without the victims’ knowledge or consent, highlighting the extent of Thompson’s voyeuristic behavior.
The police also found a bizarre scene in Thompson’s home involving a locker room, where he was seen dropping items into the crotch of a woman’s lycra leotard. Additionally, it was revealed that Thompson had been satisfying his illicit urges while on duty. One such incident involved him filming up a woman’s skirt after she had called the police to report an alleged sexual assault. During that incident, Thompson was sent to secure the crime scene at her flat while she left with officers to give a statement. While waiting, he took the opportunity to film her flatmate’s miniskirt and later gave her a lift into town for a night out, all without the victims’ knowledge.
The impact of Thompson’s actions was profound, with one victim commenting, “If you can’t trust a police officer, who can you trust?” His misconduct has severely undermined public confidence in law enforcement, especially given his role as a police officer.
Thompson’s behavior was met with strong condemnation in court. Judge Mark Brown QC sentenced him to 14 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of misconduct in a public office and outraging public decency. The judge emphasized the gravity of Thompson’s betrayal, stating, “You have not only let yourself down, you have let the force down. In my judgment, your actions amounted to an enormous abuse not only of trust but of your authority as a police officer. Hardly surprising that this conduct should undermine public confidence in police officers.”
Currently suspended from duty, Thompson faces imminent dismissal from GMP. His family, colleagues, and the community in Hyde were reportedly “staggered” by his actions, which starkly contrast with his previously perceived dedication. His defense, led by Bernadette Baxter, argued that Thompson was suffering from psychiatric difficulties and would soon lose his job, expressing that he was experiencing “shame and ignominy” as a consequence of his misconduct.