Bolton grooming gang guilty of abuse in 'party house'
Eight members of a Bolton-based grooming gang have been convicted of multiple sexual offences against a teenage girl over two years. The "young and impressionable" victim was abused between the ages of 13 and 15 and mainly at a property which became known as the "party house" in Blackrod, Wigan. The last of the eight men was found guilty on Tuesday after a three-month trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Four of the men were convicted of rape or attempted rape and all were found guilty of sexual activity with the girl.
Ben Lawrence, prosecuting, told the jury the girl was "plied with alcohol, cannabis and cocaine" to "lessen any objections". "At various times she considered herself to be in a relationship with a number of the defendants," Mr Lawrence said. "However, the feeling wasn't mutual."Mr Lawrence said the men did not care whether she "consented [to sex] or not". He said that the defendants were part of "a malign friendship group" which preyed on the girl after they heard one of them had been able to have sex with her repeatedly.
Cory Barrett, 24, formerly of Blackrod but now of Wigan, was convicted of five rapes and one count of sexual assault by penetrationMartyn Poulson, 31, of Bolton, was found guilty of two rapes, five counts of sexual activity with a child, one of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communications with a childRichard Oliver Haslam, 35, of Bolton, was convicted of three rape offences, two of sexual activity and one of causing a child to engage in sexual activityDaniel Flatters, 34, of Bolton, was found guilty of four offences of sexual activity with a childBrandon Jacob Harwood, 25, also of Bolton, was found guilty of rape, attempted rape and sexual activity with a childElliott Turner, 26, of Bolton was convicted of two sexual activity countsJames Lee Fitzgerald, 36, of Bolton, was convicted of one offence of assault by penetrationHarvie Aspen, 25, of Radcliffe, Bury, was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child.The defendants, who were cleared of some similar charges, have all been remanded in custody.The date of their sentencing hearing has not been set.
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