Teenager Accused of Gang Rape Testifies He Felt 'Happy' After Incident
A 16-year-old boy standing trial for allegedly participating in the gang rape of a 13-year-old girl has told a jury at Minshull Street Crown Court that he felt "happy" following the encounter. The defendant, who cannot be named due to his age, insisted the sexual activity was "100 per cent" consensual and described it as his first sexual experience.
Details of the Alleged Assault
The teenager is on trial alongside a 15-year-old boy, with both accused of rape. Prosecutors argue they took turns and swapped positions during the incident, which occurred in February 2024 near the Newbold tram stop in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. A third boy, aged 14 at the time, has been deemed unfit to stand trial.
The court heard that part of the assault was recorded on a mobile phone and subsequently circulated among the boys and others. Under questioning from his barrister, Rachel Shenton, the 16-year-old defendant described the events leading up to the encounter.
The Defendant's Account
The boy claimed he had been in Rochdale town centre with his co-defendants and another boy, "running around, joking around town" before encountering the alleged victim and her friend at the tram stop. He stated they boarded the same tram, and during the eight-to-nine-minute journey, there was "talking and flirting." He alleged the girl's friend mentioned that the alleged victim liked his co-defendant, leading to discussions about "who fancied who."
"I asked (the alleged victim) did she like me and she said yes," the boy testified. He claimed there was subsequent conversation about sexual activity and that they "all agreed" to go into nearby bushes. The alleged victim reportedly suggested getting condoms, but the boys said they had no money, and she allegedly responded it was "okay to do it without."
Consent and Aftermath
The defendant asserted the girl voluntarily walked into the bushes and began performing sex acts on him and his co-defendant. When asked if anything prevented her from leaving, he replied, "No, she could have got up and walked out." He admitted to attempting intercourse but stated he was unsuccessful, explaining, "It was my first time."
He claimed the encounter lasted approximately six or seven minutes, after which he left because his phone had died and he needed to rush home. "If I thought I had committed an offence I don't think I would have gone back to the town," he said, adding he later ate a sandwich before returning.
When asked how he felt afterwards about losing his virginity, he responded, "I was happy." However, he told the court he now feels "very ashamed" because he is "getting blamed for something I didn't do." He insisted he had been "brought up to be respectful" towards women, despite leaving school early and never receiving sex education.
Cross-Examination and Legal Proceedings
During cross-examination by prosecutor Kim Whittlestone, the boy admitted propositioning the girl on the tram, asking if she wanted to have sex, and she reportedly said "yes." When questioned if he thought it was odd to have sex in the bushes for his first time, he replied, "I wouldn't think it was odd if she agreed to do it."
Regarding the recorded video, he stated he did not share it with anyone else but received it via Snapchat. "I didn't really think about that," he said when asked about the recording.
The indictment lists five counts of rape, with three applying individually to each boy and two charged as joint enterprise. Each defendant denies the allegations. The trial continues as the jury must determine whether the acts occurred and if they were done without the girl's consent.
