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Three men have received suspended prison sentences for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl who was groomed via social media, following a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.
Michael Linfoot, 24, and Thomas Rae, 24, both from Chorley, admitted to one count of sexual activity with a child under 16 in the Rivington area of Bolton in 2018. They were each sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for one year. Callum Hesketh, also 24 from Chorley, pleaded guilty to taking and distributing indecent images of a child and received an eight-month sentence, suspended for one year.
The court heard that on 23 April 2018, Hesketh began sending sexual messages to the victim via a social media platform, later abusing her during a video call. On 16 June 2018, Hesketh and Linfoot picked up the victim and her friend in a white van, promising them alcohol. They drove to Rivington, where the victim was sexually abused by both men. Hesketh recorded the acts on his phone and shared them via a social media broadcast. Later, Rae arrived on a motorbike and also abused the victim. The men then drove the girls back to Adlington, buying them a bottle of wine before leaving.
Detective Constable Robert Booth praised the victim’s courage, stating, “Her bravery in coming forward has ensured these men faced justice.” He urged other victims of sexual abuse to contact Greater Manchester Police, emphasizing a commitment to tackling such crimes.
