Six members of a Greater Manchester-based grooming gang have been jailed after being convicted of sexually abusing underage girls at a house in Blackrod, Bolton, between 2016 and 2018.
The men, aged between 24 and 36, targeted vulnerable girls aged 13 to 15. The property they used became known as the “party house,” where repeated incidents of rape and sexual assault took place. The abuse came to light following a Greater Manchester Police investigation, which relied heavily on the bravery of the victims.
At Liverpool Crown Court, the six men were sentenced following guilty verdicts for charges including rape, sexual activity with a child, and sexual assault.
One victim shared a devastating impact statement:
“Because of these men, I will never be able to live a normal life again… I live in my own prison now and that is what they have done to me.”
Detective Constable Robert Booth of GMP acknowledged the courage of the survivors and said the convictions should serve as a message: “We will not tolerate sexual predators on our streets.”
The men sentenced on Tuesday are:
Jack Poulson, 31, of Bolton – 17 years for rape and sexual activity with a child under 16
Richard Haslam, 36, of Bolton – 16 years for rape and sexual activity with a child under 16
Cory Barrett, 24, of Wigan – 12 years for rape and sexual assault
Daniel Flatters, 34, of Bolton – 7 years for sexual activity with a child
James Fitzgerald, 36, of Bolton – 5 years and 6 months for sexual assault
Elliot Turner, 36, of Bolton – 2 years for sexual activity with a child under 16
Four additional members of the gang, including its ringleader, had already been sentenced earlier in the week.
Police are continuing to urge any victims of sexual abuse to come forward, offering support and reassurance that they will be listened to and believed.
