Middleton man jailed for child sex offences

Anthony Heapy

Anthony Heapy, 48, of Middleton, was found guilty of two counts of rape, nine counts of sexual assault and one count historic indecent assault after a two week trial at Bolton Crown Court.

He was sentenced to 14 years and six months imprisonment today (Tuesday 29 June 2010).

The sentence relates to the sexual assault and rape of a girl over a long period of time as she grew up from the age of 10-16.

At the age of 16, the girl told her school that she had been sexually abused and the police were contacted.

The historic indecent assault charge relates to an incident involving a 12-year-old girl.

Detective constable Julianna Barker said: "Heapy has left his victims scarred for life by the abuse he subjected them to.

"Not content with having taken advantage of their trust in childhood, he has now forced them to re-live the abuse by refusing to admit to his crimes and putting them through this trial.

"I just hope today's result gives them some sense that justice has now been done."