"I believe the organisation is covering it up."
A woman has claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted while in the custody of Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Footage taken from inside Zayna Iman’s cell shows her being forced face down onto a mattress before officers removed her jeans, cut off her underwear and removed her top and bra.
She told Sky News: “Instead of providing an unconscious female with medical attention they thought, ‘I know let’s take her clothes off instead and leave her there’.
“It’s just something that the police do for their own perverse kicks.”
Police broke into her home in the early hours of February 5, 2021, and arrested Zayna after she knocked a female officer’s glasses off her face.
Officers said they were following up on a welfare callout over a woman high on cocaine.
Over the next 40 hours, Zayna was taken to and held at a police station.
It is reported that there are three hours of missing footage.
Zayna’s allegations are supported by her medical records which allegedly show evidence of sexual injuries.
She has also shared her concerns with ex-GMP chief superintendent Martin Harding, who says Zayna’s claims are credible.
Mr Harding said: “I believe she was raped. I believe she was raped by an officer and I believe the organisation is covering it up.”
There are three significant gaps for which GMP failed to provide the footage.
The first came shortly after Zayna was arrested at 1:53 am.
Police bodycam footage shows Zayna being bundled into the back of a police van at 1:59 am, where she allegedly passed out.
The journey to the police station should have taken 10 minutes. But Zayna is not seen again until nearly 90 minutes later, when she is carried into the cell, apparently unconscious.
Zayna is carried by three female officers.
A male officer walks in and stands close to her cell door before disappearing.
A fourth female officer helps in what Zayna describes as a strip search. However, police suggest her clothes were removed and replaced with anti-rip garments over welfare concerns.
Mr Harding said he sees “no justification at all” for the alleged strip search.
Just after 5 am, Zayna is lying on a blue mat and covered by a blanket, with just a top to wear.
She sits with her hands to her head at 5:34 am, when the police log says she underwent a medical exam.
No one is seen entering the cell on the CCTV footage and she does not move from the spot the entire hour.
The second gap in footage came after Zayna was sitting on a bench with a blanket pulled up over her knees.
At 9:49 am, she becomes agitated and throws her drink across the room before looking at the camera in a state of distress.
When she next appears at 11 am, Zayna is topless and clearly agitated, hitting her head with her hands and gesturing with her arms.
Zayna then behaves in a sexual manner, running her right hand through her hair.
She remains in a state of undress for the next 26 hours. The log stated nine times that she is not fit to be detained but she remains there.
At one point, Zayna stands on the bench, a blanket draped around her shoulders, pointing to what appears to be blood on the surface between her feet.
The third missing part of footage comes after a now-completely naked Zayna looks directly at the camera just before it cuts out again at 1 pm the next day.
An hour later, Zayna talks up to the camera and points at the cell door.
She is finally given a tracksuit to put on at 8:14 pm before leaving the cell a few minutes later. Zayna went straight to the hospital and her medical report states:
“Miss Iman does not have any prior history of mental disorder, she has been admitted with an acute psychotic episode which has resolved without treatment.
“It is highly likely that this is drug related to ‘the date rape drug’ which led to a sexual assault.”
Zayna recalled:
“I remember being placed in a transportation vehicle and I just felt a sense of relief, like I’m safe now.”
“I remember talking to people through a glass window and trying to explain what happened and I’m pointing here, here – places where it hurt.”
The Manchester mayor’s office has told Zayna that GMP has all the police cell footage.
Zayna added: “Why would you withhold footage? The very footage that could either prove or disprove my allegations you will not part with.
“Who’s got something to hide?
“I’m openly saying that at some point during my detention with Greater Manchester Police, I was drugged and sexually assaulted, prove me wrong – give me the footage.”
A GMP spokesperson said: “Greater Manchester Police is committed to delivering outstanding service to all those the force comes in to contact with.
“If service is proven to have fallen below an acceptable level, the force apologises and takes the necessary action.
“GMP is aware that these three individuals are unhappy with the service they received when they were arrested and detained – their complaints have or are being investigated by the force.
“Though one investigation is ongoing, there is currently no evidence to suggest any GMP employees have misconducted themselves or committed a criminal offence.
“Under the definition within the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, two of these individuals were not strip searched.
“Due to concerns for their welfare, their clothing was removed and replaced with anti-rip garments – this process is subject to different legislation and guidance.”
Police have not explained the missing footage.
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