Six men from ‘depraved’ Bolton grooming gang jailed

Six members of a “depraved” grooming gang that preyed on under-age girls have been jailed.

The men from Greater Manchester raped and abused their victims, who were aged between 13 and 15, at a property which became known as the “party house” in Blackrod, Bolton, between 2016 and 2018.

In a statement provided by police, one of the girls said the men, at whose hands she “suffered every form of abuse”, continued to “haunt me every day”.

Each was jailed after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, with four other members of the gang, including its ringleader, sentenced on Monday.

The court heard the gang had met the girls by meeting them near to a community centre before messaging them online.

All were convicted of rape, sexual activity with a child or sexual assault.

One of their victims, who released a statement through Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: “Because of these men, I will never be able to live a normal life again.

“I’d rather be dead most days than deal with all this mental torture and memories.

“No amount of prison time for them can make that go away. I live in my own prison now and that is what they have done to me.”

Detective Constable Robert Booth of GMP said it was thanks to the victims’ bravery that the men “now have to pay for their despicable crimes against young, vulnerable and impressionable girls”.

He said: “I am glad these depraved individuals have been brought to justice, and I hope this sends a clear message that we will not tolerate sexual predators on our streets.

“If you are a victim of sexual abuse, please reach out to us. We are here to listen and work with you at your own pace, when you are ready.”

The six members of the gang sentenced on Tuesday were:

• Jack Poulson, 31, of Bolton, who was handed a 17-year sentence for offences including rape and sexual activity with a child under 16
• Richard Haslam, 36, of Bolton, who was jailed for 16 years for rape and sexual activity with a child under 16
• Daniel Flatters, 34, of Bolton, who was convicted of sexual activity with a child and given seven years in jail
• James Fitzgerald, 36, of Bolton, who received a five-year and six-month sentence for sexual assault
• Cory Barrett, 24, of Wigan, who was given 12 years in jail for rape and sexual assault
• Elliot Turner, 36, of Bolton, who was found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 16 and handed two-year prison sentence.

All of the men were placed on the Sex Offenders Register.