30-year-old – Adam Degney from Bolton – received a total of 15 years in prison with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be listed on the sex offenders register for life.
Police launched an investigation in August 2023, following an initial report of a sexual assault against a 13-year-old girl.
The young girl confided in a loved one how Degney had attempted to rape her that day, the report was then immediately made to police, and the investigation was launched.
GMP Bolton’s Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) was conducted and unearthed a catalogue of sexual offences carried out against a child spanning over several years.
The young victim bravely told police officers that she was raped on multiple occasions by Degney over a seven-year period from when she was just six years old, forcing her to do so all for his own gratification.
Following further enquiries, an adult woman also bravely disclosed she had been a victim to Degney’s abuse, where he attempted to control her life.
The woman told officers how she was raped by Degney on multiple occasions, sometimes while she was sleeping. Degney threatened he would ‘chop her head off’ and was often physically and verbally aggressive with her, whittling her self-confidence further and further down over time.
Specialist officers were deployed to support the victims and their loved ones throughout course of the investigation. Degney was also quickly arrested.
Searching Degney’s phone, police officers discovered several images and deleted videos Degney had took of himself abusing his victims.
Detective Constable Stephen Wildman, of GMP Bolton’s Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU), said: “Firstly, I want to thank the victims in this case for their incredible bravery in coming forward and helping us with the investigation into Degney’s crimes. His actions over the last several years were horrific and I’m sincerely glad that he is now behind bars. I truly hope that the sentence can bring some comfort to his victims.
“Of course, our thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones, who have gone through an unimaginable ordeal due to Degney’s actions. Supporting the victims has been a focus for us through, pursuing every lead, and ensuring justice for them.
“This sentence shows that sexual offenses against anyone in our community will not be tolerated. Greater Manchester Police will pursue all lines of enquiry and support you every step of the way through the criminal proceedings. We are dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and will work to ensure offenders face the full consequences for their actions.”
