Three Boys Cleared of Rape Charges in Rochdale Courtroom Drama
Emotions ran high at Minshull Street Crown Court as three young boys were cleared of raping a 13-year-old girl in Rochdale. The jury delivered not guilty verdicts after nearly ten hours of deliberations, concluding a trial that spanned over ten tense days.
Courtroom Reactions and Verdict Details
Family members of the defendants reacted with tears and heavy sighs as the verdicts were announced. One exhausted voice cried "Jesus" from the public gallery. A red-faced, bleary-eyed boy wept next to his mother, while another boy comforted a trembling family member.
The two older boys, now aged 15 and 16, were cleared of rape and two joint enterprise counts. The third boy, now 14 but 12 at the time of the alleged incident, was found not to have committed the offences after jurors considered whether he had encouraged the others. He had been deemed unfit to stand trial.
The Alleged Incident in Rochdale
Prosecutors alleged that the three boys raped the girl in February 2024, taking turns and swapping positions during the incident in Rochdale town centre. Part of the alleged attack was filmed on a mobile phone, with footage later circulated among themselves and others.
The court heard that four boys had been hanging out and ended up at a tram stop where a large group had gathered. Among them were two 13-year-old girls. The group boarded a tram at Rochdale, with the boys remaining standing and one repeatedly pressing the door button.
Events Leading to the Bushes
During the eight-minute tram journey, the now 15-year-old boy sat next to the girl. He later told jurors they flirted and discussed sex. The group disembarked together at Newbold, with the boys putting their arms around the girls as they moved across the platform.
Prosecutors alleged the now 15-year-old suggested "We can do it in the bush if you want." However, in his evidence, he claimed the girl had asked him for sex. The girl's friend told them to "f*** off" because she was on her period, while the alleged victim said she told them "no."
The Critical Moments in the Bushes
The court heard that the group then entered nearby bushes. Snapchat footage played in court showed the girl bent over, with laughing heard in the background and one voice saying "s**k it." The girl's friend ran over and pulled her away, after which the boys ran home.
The alleged victim cried as her friend stated: "She said she wanted to leave it, she didn't want any more drama. I said we should call the police. She then said to call her mum from my phone." Minutes later, the girl's mother arrived to find her daughter and friend sitting in a family member's van, with police having established a cordon.
Defence Arguments and Cross-Examination
Defence barristers suggested the girl had lied about being raped. Rachel Shenton, representing the now 16-year-old, argued: "This was not a rape, it was a shameful encounter." She questioned why the girl didn't shout or scream if she didn't consent.
Peter Gilmour, representing the now 15-year-old, emphasized: "These are children. We must not judge children by the standards of adults." He noted that both boys told the court the encounter was consensual, with the now 16-year-old saying he felt "happy" afterward, though not successful.
Prosecution's Closing Arguments
For the Crown, Kim Whittlestone countered the defence's position, stating: "A bit of smiling and teen flirting on the tram does not equate to consent to a foursome in the bushes." She described the alleged incident as fitting the description of gang rape perfectly, though the prosecution had avoided using that emotive phrase during the trial.
Aftermath and Discharge
Ultimately, jurors found all three boys not guilty on all counts. They were discharged from court as families embraced and wept. The trial highlighted complex issues surrounding youth, consent, and the challenges of prosecuting cases involving minors.
