Three men handed suspended sentences for sexual offences against underage girl groomed over social media
Three men from Chorley—Michael Linfoot, Callum Hesketh, and Thomas Rae—have received suspended sentences for sexual offences against a 15-year-old girl in 2018. The victim was groomed via social media, assaulted in a van in Rivington, and the acts were recorded and shared online. The men pleaded guilty, receiving suspended sentences of 8-11 months. Greater Manchester Police praised the victim's bravery and urged other survivors to come forward.
Three men from Chorley received suspended prison sentences Thursday at Liverpool Crown Court for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in a white van on Rivington moor seven years ago.
Michael Linfoot, 24, Callum Hesketh, 24, and Thomas Rae, 24, admitted offences committed on 16 June 2018 after Hesketh spent weeks grooming the girl through social media messages and video calls demanding she pose naked for him.
The assault unfolded after Hesketh and Linfoot collected the victim and her friend from Adlington, promising alcohol. Once parked on the moor, the friend stepped out to take a phone call and Hesketh began raping the girl while Linfoot forced her to perform oral sex. Hesketh filmed the attack, broadcasting it on social media with the caption “Gang bang out here” before Rae arrived on a motorbike and also orally raped her.
Linfoot and Rae each received 11-month sentences suspended for 12 months for sexual activity with a child; Hesketh got eight months suspended for sending sexual messages and making indecent images.
Detective Constable Robert Booth praised the victim’s courage and urged others to report abuse: “We will not tolerate this abhorrent behaviour, and we will bring you to justice.”
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