Salford man sentenced for rape of a 14-year-old

A man from Salford has been sentenced to seven years after pleading guilty to the rape of a 14-year-old girl.

27-year-old Reese Austick, of Maple Close, Salford was sentenced at Manchester Crown Square Court yesterday (Wednesday 20 November).

Austick pleaded guilty to rape and has been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Reese Austick first added his victim on Facebook in November 2018, claiming he was aged 15.

Austick and the victim spoke online for two or three weeks before arranging to meet.

But when she was travelling on the train to meet him, he texted his victim to say that he was actually 17 – when in fact he was 21.

He knew his victim was 14 as she had told him and it displayed her age on her profile.

Austick sexually abused the victim over the course of two days at his address and forced her to have sex with him.

Police arrested Reese Austick, and the victim was safeguarded and supported by specialist officers.

Detective Sergeant James Walsh, of our Criminal Investigation Department in Salford, said: “Firstly I want to thank the victim for coming forward and reporting this awful ordeal to us.

“Due to the complexities in this case, it has taken a long time to get to this point, and I want to thank the victim for her patience, courage and perseverance.”

He added: “Austick was calculated in his offending – he approached his victim on social media and knew she was a teenager.

“He then subjected her to appalling sexual abuse over the course of two days.”

Detective Sergeant James Walsh continued: “He is a dangerous individual who has intentionally targeted a child victim and subjected her to horrendous abuse.

“I welcome his lengthy sentence.”

Greater Manchester Police have urged victims of rape and sexual assault not to “suffer in silence.”

And have urged that “If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

You can also report information and crimes on our website (www.gmp.police.uk).

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.