Men Who Livestreamed Sexual Assault on Teenage Girl Walk Free from Court

A 15-year-old girl who was groomed online was later videoed being sexually abused in the back of a van. One of her abusers posted on social media 'Gang Bang Out Here' as the incident took place.

The vile episode happened at night in Rivington, a popular beauty spot on the West Pennine Moors, near Horwich, Bolton. Today three men were sentenced for sexual offences against the victim.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Micahel Linfoot, Callum Hesketh, and Thomas Rae, all from Chorley, were each allowed to walk free from court after being given suspended sentenced.

The trio had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

The grooming of the victim began in 2018. Police say Hesketh messaged the victim, who was 15 at the time, via a social media messaging platform asking her to take part in a threesome, but the victim declined.

Hesketh continued to call and message her for weeks. He would then video call her and ask her to pose in different sexual positions for him while he masturbated.

On an evening in 2018, the victim and her female friend got a lift from the Adlington area with Hesketh and Linfoot. The two men, who were aged 18 at the time, picked the two girls up in a white van - which belonged to Linfoot - in exchange for alcoholic drinks.

Police say they drove to Rivington and parked the vehicle. The victim’s friend received a phone call and stepped out of the van. GMP said in a statement that Hesketh and Linfoot began raping the victim.

'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, ‘GANG BANG OUT HERE’', the statement said.

'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 and bought a bottle of wine for them before they drove off.

Michael Linfoot admitted one count of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 in Rivington in 2018. The 24-year-old from Hut Lane, Chorley, was given an 11 months jail sentence suspended for 12 months.

Thomas Rae admitted one count of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 in Rivington in 2018. Rae, 24, of Longfield Avenue, Chorley, was given an 11 months jail sentence suspended for a year.

Callum Hesketh pleaded guilty and was convicted of sending sexualised social media messages to the victim, and making indecent videos of a child in Rivington 2018. The 24-year-old from Byron Crescent, Chorley, was handed an eight month jail sentence suspended for 12 months.

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If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, GMP encourages you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website, www.gmp.police.uk. Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

To start a report, visit www.gmp.police.uk and click on the blue ‘Live Chat’ icon.

A domestic abuse survivor has encouraged other victims and survivors to report their experiences via Live Chat.

How to get help

• Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
• Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
• We Are Survivors Manchester - provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.

According to the source: Manchester Evening News.