JOSEPH RAYBOULD FROM CHEETHAM HILL SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL OFFENSES IN MANCHESTER

In April 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Joseph Raybould, a 21-year-old man from Cheetham Hill, who was convicted of heinous sexual offenses that have left a lasting scar on his victims and their families. The court heard harrowing details of his crimes, which included a predatory attack on a young girl at a social gathering, as well as a series of online manipulations and threats aimed at a schoolgirl.

Raybould’s criminal activities came to light after he was already on bail for attempting to manipulate a young schoolgirl into becoming his online 'slave.' Despite this, he proceeded to commit a further assault at a party, where he took advantage of a girl who was intoxicated and vulnerable. The victim, who had been drinking vodka and shots, was sick in the toilet when Raybould attacked her. According to court reports, she tried to pull away and told him to stop, but he persisted, pulling her back towards him. The assault was described as deeply traumatic, and the girl confided in a friend about what had happened, although initially her account was not believed. It was only after she was taken to hospital following self-harming episodes that she disclosed the assault to her mother.

During the trial, the victim’s mother provided a heartbreaking account of her daughter’s suffering. She explained that her daughter had attempted suicide twice and was undergoing counseling due to the emotional trauma inflicted by the assault. The mother described her daughter’s ongoing struggles, including panic attacks and a reluctance to go out, fearing she is being followed. The impact on the family has been profound, with the mother emphasizing the devastating effect the crime has had on their lives.

The court also examined Raybould’s prior criminal record, which included a previous offense where he incited a child under 13 to watch a sexual act. However, at that time, he had only received a caution. His latest crimes, including the rape and online threats, led to his sentencing at Manchester Crown Court. Raybould, who resides on Baycliffe Walk, was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison after admitting to the charges of rape and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Details of his online predation were also revealed during the proceedings. Raybould had set up a Skype account under the alias ‘Dirty Jack’ and persuaded a schoolgirl to accept his Facebook friend request, claiming he was 13 and using the pseudonym Ted Jones. He then moved the conversation to Skype, where he threatened to harm himself or call the police unless she exposed herself to him over the internet. In a chilling message, he claimed to have hacked her phone and recorded videos and pictures of her, threatening to post them on the internet unless she complied with his demands. He also sent her a lewd picture and claimed to have been watching her through her camera via malware, asserting he could see everything she did. His threats included posting her images on the deep web for her friends and family to see.

While on bail for these online offenses, Raybould committed the assault at the party. The prosecutor, Adam Lodge, described how the victim was unable to resist his advances due to her intoxication. The court heard that she tried to pull away and told him to stop, but he did not cease his actions and pulled her back towards him. The victim confided in a friend about the assault, but her claims were initially dismissed, and Raybould denied any wrongdoing. It was only later, after she was hospitalized following self-harm, that she revealed the truth to her mother.

Judge Michael Leeming addressed the court, emphasizing the vulnerability of the young victim. He pointed out that her age, combined with her intoxication, made her particularly susceptible to Raybould’s predatory behavior. The judge criticized Raybould for his dishonesty, stating, “It seems to me she was vulnerable for a number of reasons. Firstly because of her age and secondly she was vulnerable because of the drink she had consumed and you were aware of that even if you didn’t ply her with drink or buy the vodka or encourage her to drink.”

Turning directly to Raybould, the judge condemned his actions, asserting, “You said the victim was a liar. Of course, she was telling the truth and the only person who lied here is you.” The court’s decision reflects the severity of Raybould’s offenses and the profound impact they have had on his victims’ lives, leading to his imprisonment and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and sexual offenders in the community.