Vulnerable teenager subjected to horrific ordeal at popular beauty spot after being targeted online for weeks
A teenage girl who was relentlessly groomed online by a sexual predator was subjected to a horrific group attack in the back of a van – while one of her abusers broadcast the vile assault on social media.
The shocking case has sparked fury after three men from Chorley walked free from Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday despite being handed suspended sentences for their roles in the sickening abuse.
Michael Linfoot, Callum Hesketh, and Thomas Rae, all from Chorley, all previously pled guilty to sexual offences against the 15-year-old girl following the nightmarish incident at Rivington, a popular beauty spot on the West Pennine Moors near Bolton.
The case has laid bare the terrifying ease with which online predators can target vulnerable youngsters – and the devastating consequences when grooming escalates to real-world abuse.
‘Gang bang out here’: The sick social media boast
In perhaps the most stomach-churning detail to emerge from the case, 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 brazen post demonstrates the complete lack of shame or remorse shown by the attackers, who treated the vulnerable teenager as nothing more than an object for their twisted gratification.
Weeks of relentless online grooming
The horrific events of 2018 began when Hesketh first 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.
But the predator refused to take no for an answer.
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, according to Greater Manchester Police.
The persistent harassment wore down the teenager’s defences, setting the stage for the real-world horror that was to follow.
A lift that turned into a nightmare
One evening in 2018, the victim and a female friend made what would prove to be a catastrophic decision. The two men, aged 18 at the time, picked the two girls up in a van belonging to Linfoot in exchange for alcoholic drinks.
What started as an arrangement for transport quickly spiralled into something far more sinister.
Police say they drove to Rivington and parked the vehicle and when the victim’s friend received a phone call and stepped out of the van, Hesketh and Linfoot began raping the victim.
More attackers summoned to join abuse
In a chilling escalation, the assault didn’t end with the two initial perpetrators. 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, police confirmed.
The calculated nature of summoning additional attackers demonstrates the predatory pack mentality at work in this case.
Chilling aftermath: Wine and silence
After the horrific ordeal, the attackers showed a callous disregard for their victim. Hesketh and Linfoot took the girls back to Adlington, bought a bottle of wine, and they drove off.
This final act – purchasing alcohol for the girls as if nothing had happened – reveals the twisted mindset of the perpetrators who saw nothing wrong with their actions.
Justice denied? Suspended sentences spark outrage
Despite the severity of their crimes, all three men avoided immediate imprisonment:
- Linfoot admitted one count of sexual activity with a child under 16 and was given an 11 months jail sentence suspended for 12 months
- Thomas Rae has been convicted of one count of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 in Rivington in 2018. Rae, 24, has been sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for 12 months
- Hesketh also received a suspended sentence for his role in the abuse
The decision to hand down suspended sentences has left many questioning whether justice has truly been served.
Brave victim’s courage leads to convictions
Detective Constable Robert Booth praised the victim’s extraordinary bravery in coming forward: “Thanks to the bravery of the victim in coming forward and putting her trust in us, we were able to bring these men to justice.
“It must have been very difficult for her to have to sit through interviews and come to terms with what these men subjected her to, but I hope today’s result gives her a sense of justice.”
A message to other victims
The detective reached out to others who may have suffered similar abuse: “I would like to reach out to victims of rape and sexual abuse that have not yet come forward to let them know that we are here for you, we will support you and work with you at your own pace when you are ready, no matter the passage of time.
He also issued a stark warning to perpetrators: “Finally, I would like to send a clear message to any perpetrators of sexual abuse; that we will not tolerate this abhorrent behaviour, and we will bring you to justice.
The wider picture
This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by online predators who use social media to target vulnerable teenagers. The progression from online grooming to real-world abuse demonstrates how digital harassment can escalate into physical violence.
The fact that the attackers felt emboldened enough to broadcast their crimes on social media speaks to a disturbing culture where some young men view sexual violence as entertainment rather than the serious crime it is.
As this case shows, parents and guardians must remain vigilant about their children’s online interactions – and young people need to be educated about the warning signs of grooming behaviour.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, help is available through organisations like the NSPCC (0808 800 5000) and Rape Crisis (0808 500 2222).
