Rapist jailed for seven years and two months
Reece Austick of Salford has been sentenced to seven years and two months in prison for raping a 14-year-old girl. He deceived her about his age (claiming to be 15 and then 17 when he was 21) and sexually abused her over two days at his address. Austick has been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life. The victim was supported by specialist officers, and Detective Sergeant James Walsh commended her courage. Support services for victims of sexual assault are highlighted.
Reece Austick, 27, will serve seven years and two months in prison after Manchester Crown Square Court heard how he groomed a 14-year-old girl on Facebook before raping her during a two-day ordeal at his Salford home.
The court was told Austick, of Maple Close, first contacted the child in November 2018 through the social media platform. After two to three weeks of online conversation, he arranged to meet her - initially claiming to be 15 years old. As the girl travelled by train to see him, Austick sent a text admitting he was actually 17. In reality, he was 21.
Over the following two days at his address, Austick forced the girl to have sex with him. Police later arrested him on suspicion of rape. The victim, who had clearly stated her age on her Facebook profile, was safeguarded and supported by specialist officers.
“Austick was calculated in his offending - he approached his victim on social media and knew she was a teenager,” said Detective Sergeant James Walsh of Greater Manchester Police’s Criminal Investigation Department. “He then subjected her to appalling sexual abuse over the course of two days. He is a dangerous individual who has intentionally targeted a child victim and subjected her to horrendous abuse. I welcome his lengthy sentence.”
In addition to his prison term, Austick must sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Source: Read original article