A Lower Broughton man has been jailed for 12 years for the rape and grooming of a 12-year-old girl.
Shamus Harte, 27, was jailed at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to meeting a child following sexual grooming, four counts of making indecent photographs of a child, two counts of rape of a child under 13 years of age, abduction of a child, and possession of a bladed article.
Harte engaged with the child via social media platforms, obtained indecent images, then met her, the court heard.
Harte was also sentenced on Wednesday for unrelated offences of theft and handling stolen goods.
DS Hannah Rudd and PS Camron Pierre, who were with the Complex Safeguarding Hub at the time of the investigation, said: “First of all, we would like to thank the victim and survivor in this case, and her family, who have shown dignity, bravery and strength in seeing this through to conviction and sentencing.
“We know that no amount of time is going to erase what Harte subjected her to, but we hope that today’s result goes some way in allowing them to process what has happened and to begin to heal.
“This investigation was a long and complex one, in which the City of Manchester Complex Safeguarding Hub (CSH) worked tirelessly to gather evidence against Harte and see him subsequently locked up.
“This result showcases the multi-agency work between the CSH, social workers and local council, and we are happy that Harte is off the streets and no longer a threat to young girls.
“GMP is committed to bringing perpetrators of these crimes to justice and would ask if you or someone you know are concerned about a child, then please come forward. We will listen and investigate every allegation.”
Anyone with concerns about a child’s welfare can contact Greater Manchester Police via gmp.police.uk, by calling 101 or anonymously through the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Recent Comments