Two boys sentenced for sex attack in Heywood park

Two teenage boys have been sentenced after sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in Roch Valley Country Park, Heywood.

The 14-year-old boys from Heywood, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to sexual assault and were sentenced yesterday, Monday 10 March 2014, at Minshull Street Crown Court to youth rehabilitation orders.

On the afternoon of Saturday 18 August 2012, the victim and her teenage friend had agreed to meet up with some boys from their estate and go to Roch Valley Country Park.

On the way one of the boys persuaded a man to buy them a bottle of vodka from a corner shop and the group walked to a secluded part of the park where they couldn’t be seen from any nearby footpaths.

The group started to drink the vodka and some of them became drunk. The two boys then exposed themselves, and the victim's friend and another boy left.

After a short time they returned and saw one of the boys on top of the victim, while his friend pinned her down.

She had two large bruises on her hips consistent with this.

Detective Constable Birtwistle, based at the Serious Sexual Offences Unit in Rochdale, said: “Since this incident happened more than 18 months ago there has been a lot of speculation and rumour on the Heywood estate.

“This has been both misleading and upsetting for the victim and her family to hear. However, I hope today’s hearing helps set the record straight and ensures people can start to move on from this unpleasant episode.”