The remaining six members of a group of 10 men who groomed, raped and sexually abused underage girls in Blackrod between 2016 and 2018 have been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today,
Daniel Flatters, Jack Poulson, Cory Barrett, James Fitzgerald, Richard Haslam, and Elliott Turner are the final six men that have been handed substantial sentences for a range of sexual offences.
They have each been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
In an emotional and impactful statement, one brave victim shared how each of these predatory men made her feel and the devastating impact it has had on her life since, after they subjected her to continuous abuse and left her feeling fearful, intimidated and like she had no way out.
Her statement began: “This is the story of how these individuals destroyed my life forever. I think nothing can hurt me as bad as what they did to me, but I’m still terrified of everything and everyone around me. I can’t even go outside on my own.
“I suffered every form of abuse from each of these individuals, and they continue to haunt me every day. What they don’t realise is it’s not okay to take someone’s life just to get a quick fix.
“I’d rather be dead most days than deal with all this mental torture and memories.
“Because of these men, I will never be able to live a normal life again. I’m too scared just to do simple tasks such as going outside or holding down a job, even simply being naked.”
To conclude, she added: “I am forced, by my own brain, to relive every second with these vile people, over and over again. 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.”
The gang preyed on young girls aged between 13 and 15 by meeting them where they would hang out with other teenagers near the local community centre. They would then message them on private messaging and social media platforms.
Ashley Darbyshire, the primary offender who was sentenced to 15 years in jail yesterday, met the primary victim in 2016 when he was 19 and she was 13, and began messaging her online. He introduced her to nine of his friends, and they all used and abused her for their own sexual gratification into 2018.
They would display violence and aggression as they fought with each other, and through their interactions, all of which were intimidating to a young teenage girl. They treated her as though she was worthless, until she finally believed it herself.
Today, after a long and thorough investigation, with the help of the victims, these men have been brought to justice.
Jack Poulson, 32 of Bolton was convicted of two counts of rape, five counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual communications with a child. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison, to serve two thirds. He has been handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Richard Haslam, 36 of Bolton, was convicted of two counts of rape, one count of oral rape, two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison, to serve at least two thirds. He has been given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order for life. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Daniel Flatters, 34,of Bolton, was convicted of of four counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. Ahead of the trial, he entered guilty pleas to Supply Class A Cocaine and Aggravated TWOC. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, to serve at least half. He has been handed a Sexual Harm prevention Order and been given a Restraining Order. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
James Fitzgerald, 36,of Bolton, was convicted of one count of sexual assault by penetration. He was sentenced to five years and 6 months in prison, to serve at least half. He has been given a Restraining Order for life and has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Cory Barrett, 24,of Wigan, was convicted of three counts of rape, one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison, to serve at least two thirds. He has been given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order for life. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Elliott Turner, 36 of Bolton, was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16. He was sentenced to two years in prison. He has been handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order for 10 years. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.
