A man has denied raping a teenage girl in Manchester.
Abdul Shinwari, 24, also pleaded not guilty to strangling the “vulnerable” 17-year-old and denied drugs offences.
Shinwari appeared at Manchester Crown Court via video link from HMP Forest Bank, Salford, earlier to deny one count of rape, one of intentional strangulation, one of supplying cannabis and one of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.
The rape offence is alleged to have been committed at about 01:30 BST on 14 July, on Hope Street near Piccadilly Gardens. He will be held in custody until a further hearing on 21 December, ahead of a trial on 18 January 2027.