A Little Hulton man who groomed and raped or sexually assaulted 11 children has been brought to justice after detectives in Salford uncovered his offending spanning over two decades from 2002 to 2023.
Carl Jones aged 57 of was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 and a half years.
He sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court for 47 offences, which include multiple counts of rape of a child under the age of 13, oral rape of a child under the age of 13, sexual assault of a child under and over the age of 13, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and indecent assault.
Jones pleaded guilty to all charges on 9th September 2024 and was placed on the on the sex offender’s registry indefinitely.
GMP’s Child Protection Investigation Unit in Salford began investigating Jones after a brave teenager and man separately came forward in March this year, reporting Jones had raped or abused them on multiple occasions, when they were children, years apart from each other.
It was through these testimonies detectives began to piece together Jones’s predatory pattern of behaviour. Jones would prey on young boys, exploit their vulnerabilities, feed them alcohol, and spoil them with money, clothes, and bikes, as well as trips away in an attempt to normalise his depravity.
Jones was charged and remanded into custody on 16th March 2024.
The investigation into Jones continued and widened as specialist officers met with several more victims and heard their shocking accounts of abuse. Victims were as young as five years old, and many suffered abuse at the hands of Jones for years; and in one case more than a decade.
DS Katie Halstead of Salford’s Child Protection Investigation Unit said: “Jones is no short of a depraved man who preyed on children, with complete disregard for the trauma his abhorrent actions caused.
“The victims and survivors in this case had their childhoods tainted in the most awful way, and at a very young age, they experienced what no one should ever have to.
“I want to commend their bravery for coming forward to speak with us about their abuse and remaining strong throughout this incredibly difficult process. They played a vital role in reaching today’s outcome; ensuring justice is reached and Jones resides in prison, far away from causing harm to the community.
“We are here to always listen to victims and give them a voice when they are ready. These boys and men will continue to be supported through our partner agency’s specialist support services as long as they need.
“Child protection is GMP’s top priority, and our dedicated teams are working relentlessly to safeguard victims and hold anyone causing harm accountable.”
