A GIRL, 15, who was groomed online was later videoed being sexually abused in the back of a van by three men.
One of the abusers posted a vile photo on social media with the caption “g**g b**g out here” as the incident took place.
One of the abusers posted a photo online captioned “g**g b**g out here”
Greater Manchester PoliceCallum Hesketh, 24, started grooming the victim in 2018[/caption]
Greater Manchester PoliceMichael Linfoot, 24, and Hesketh sexually abused the victim in the back of a van in 2018[/caption]
The episode took place at night in Rivington, a popular beauty spot on the West Pennine Moors, near Bolton.
Three men were sentenced on Thursday for sexual offences against the victim.
Micahel Linfoot, Callum Hesketh, and Thomas Rae, all from Chorley, were each allowed to walk free from Liverpool Crown Court after being handed a suspended sentence.
They had all pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
The grooming of the victim began in 2018 who was 15-years-old at the time.
Hesketh had messaged the girl on social media asking for her to take part in a threesome but she declined.
He continued to call and message her for weeks and would video call asking her to pose in different sexual positions while he masturbated.
The victim and her female friend got a lift from the Adlington area with Hesketh and Linfoot one evening in 2018.
The two men, aged 18 at the time, picked the two girls up in a van belonging to Linfoot in exchange for alcoholic drinks.
In a statement Greater Manchester Police said they drove to Rivington where they parked the van.
While the girl’s friend left the van to take a phone call, Hesketh and Linfoot began raping the victim.
Police said: “While this was happening, Hesketh recorded the sex acts on his mobile phone and sent them out via a broadcast option on a social media platform with the caption, ‘G**g B**g out here’.
“The victim heard Hesketh talking on his mobile phone and a short while later three more men arrived on motorbikes.
“One of the men, Thomas Rae, approached the van and removed his penis from his trousers and orally raped the victim.”
Afterwards, the two girls got into the rear of the van and Hesketh and Linfoot took them back to Adlington where they purchased a bottle of wine for them before driving off.
Following an investigation, the three men who pleaded guilty have been sentenced for their actions.
Detective Constable Robert Booth said: “Thanks to the bravery of the victim in coming forward and putting her trust in us, we were able to bring these men to justice.
“It must have been very difficult for her to have to sit through interviews and come to terms with what these men subjected her to, but I hope today’s result gives her a sense of justice.
“I would like to reach out to victims of rape and sexual abuse that have not yet come forward to let them know that we are here for you, we will support you and work with you at your own pace when you are ready, no matter the passage of time.
“Finally, I would like to send a clear message to any perpetrators of sexual abuse; that we will not tolerate this abhorrent behaviour, and we will bring you to justice.”
Michael Linfoot has been convicted of one count of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 in Rivington in 2018.
The 24-year-old has been sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
Thomas Rae has been convicted of one count of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 in Rivington in 2018.
Rae, 24, has been sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
Callum Hesketh, 24, has been convicted of sending sexualised social media messages to the victim and one count of making indecent videos of a child in Rivington 2018.
He has been sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
Greater Manchester PoliceThomas Rae, 24, Hesketh and Linfoot were allowed to walk free from court after being handed a suspended sentence[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
