Three Boys Aged 12-14 Accused of Gang Rape in Rochdale Bushes
A harrowing trial has opened at Minshull Street Crown Court, where three boys are accused of a brutal gang rape against a 13-year-old girl in Rochdale. The alleged attack occurred in February 2024, when the defendants were aged just 12, 13, and 14 years old. Prosecutors state that the assault took place in bushes near the Newbold tram stop, with part of the incident being filmed on a mobile phone and subsequently circulated.
Details of the Alleged Attack
According to prosecutor Kim Whittlestone, the three boys "took it in turns" to rape the victim, who was a stranger to them. The court heard that the girl was physically pushed and bent over during the assault, with the boys allegedly swapping positions. Whittlestone emphasized that it "would have been obvious" the girl did not consent, as she reportedly said "no" when asked if she wanted sex.
The prosecution described how the boys "overpowered" the victim, leaving her feeling "panicked" and scared. In police interviews, the girl said her "head was going 100 miles per hour" and that the experience was "horrible." A friend who was with the victim reportedly stepped in to stop the attack, after which two of the boys fled the scene.
Mobile Phone Footage and Legal Proceedings
Jurors were told that a 10-second clip of the alleged rape was recorded on a mobile phone without the girl's consent. This footage was later "circulated amongst themselves and to others," according to the prosecution. The trial is focusing on two defendants, now aged 15 and 16, who deny the charges. A third boy, who was 12 at the time and is now 14, has been deemed unfit to stand trial.
Whittlestone stated that the defendants' defense will claim the girl consented to some sexual activity and instigated it. However, she countered that the boys "knew what consent meant" and their actions constituted a "joint enterprise to rape her." The prosecution alleges the attack was premeditated, with CCTV showing the boys speaking to girls in Rochdale town centre before boarding a tram to Newbold.
Context and Aftermath
The court heard that the victim and her friend were waiting at a tram stop, intending to go to McDonald's, when they encountered the boys. After getting off at Newbold, the boys allegedly blocked the girls' path and "manhandled" them before leading the victim into the bushes. The friend reportedly heard one boy say "let me have a go now" during the assault.
This case highlights severe issues of juvenile sexual violence and the misuse of technology to document and share criminal acts. The trial continues as the jury examines evidence, including the mobile phone footage, to determine the defendants' guilt. All parties involved cannot be named for legal reasons, underscoring the sensitive nature of proceedings involving minors.
