CALLUM HESKETH FROM RIVINGTON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE GIRL

A man identified as Callum Hesketh, involved in a disturbing case of online grooming and sexual assault, has been handed a suspended sentence after a series of heinous crimes committed against a 15-year-old girl. The incident took place in Rivington, a well-known scenic spot nestled within the West Pennine Moors near Bolton, Greater Manchester, drawing significant attention from law enforcement and the local community alike.

According to reports, the sequence of events began in 2018 when Hesketh first initiated contact with the young girl through a social media messaging platform. At that time, she was only 15 years old. Hesketh, along with accomplices Michael Linfoot and Thomas Rae, all from Chorley, persistently contacted her, despite her clear refusal to participate in any sexual activity. Over the following weeks, Hesketh continued to call and message her repeatedly, escalating his attempts to manipulate her.

Police investigations revealed that Hesketh would engage in video calls, during which he asked the girl to pose in various sexual positions while he masturbated. These disturbing requests and recordings were part of a pattern of grooming that aimed to exploit her vulnerability. The Manchester Evening News reported that Hesketh also shared these explicit videos via social media broadcast features, with the caption, 'GANG BANG OUT HERE,' further demonstrating his reckless disregard for the victim’s well-being.

Tragically, the situation worsened when Hesketh and Linfoot drove to Rivington in a vehicle. During this visit, the victim’s friend received a phone call and stepped out of the van, leaving the girl alone with the two men. It was at this point that Hesketh and Linfoot allegedly began raping the girl. Police reports state that Hesketh recorded these sexual acts on his mobile phone, which he then shared publicly on social media, intensifying the trauma inflicted upon the victim.

Adding to the horror, shortly after the initial assault, three more men arrived on motorbikes. One of these men, identified as Thomas Rae, approached the van and proceeded to perform oral sex on the girl after exposing himself. This series of events marked a severe escalation in the assault, leaving the victim subjected to multiple acts of sexual violence.

Following the incident, Hesketh, Linfoot, and Rae took the girl back to Adlington, where they bought a bottle of wine before leaving the scene. The police investigation uncovered that Linfoot admitted to one count of sexual activity with a child under 16, resulting in an 11-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months. Rae, aged 24, also pleaded guilty to similar charges and received an identical sentence, also suspended for a year. Callum Hesketh, aged 24, admitted to sending sexualized social media messages and creating indecent videos involving a minor in 2018. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Detective Constable Robert Booth expressed his appreciation for the victim’s bravery in coming forward, stating, “Thanks to the bravery of the victim in coming forward and putting her trust in us, we were able to bring these men to justice. It must have been very difficult for her to have to sit through interviews and come to terms with what these men subjected her to, but I hope today’s result gives her a sense of justice.” He also issued a message to potential victims and offenders, emphasizing the importance of support and justice, saying, “We will support you and work with you at your own pace when you are ready, no matter the passage of time. We will also not tolerate this concealment and will bring perpetrators to justice.”