A 14-year-old boy has admitted to sexually assaulting five women, three of whom were attacked near The University of Manchester, as he appeared before court yesterday.
The boy pleaded guilty at Manchester City Youth Court and will be sentenced on December 2 for the crimes which occurred on September 21 and October 5.
The first offence happened at around 6.15pm on September 21 when a 27-year-old woman was approached and grabbed from behind while walking through the university grounds near Lloyd Street North. She screamed and was threatened before he fled.
Minutes later, a 21-year-old woman was approached by a boy on Oxford Road who made lewd comments. She carried on walking onto Moss Lane East before being sexually assaulted.
On Saturday October 5 a 32-year-old woman was on her phone while walking through Manchester Science park at around 2.15pm when she was approached by two boys and sexually assaulted by one of them. She pushed him away but was sexually assaulted again before the boys fled.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin said: “These crimes shocked everybody, not least the five women who were traumatised as a result of being sexually assaulted by this young boy.
“For such a young boy to have committed such appalling attacks is both disturbing and unusual.
“What is important is that we thank all those members of the public who came forward this weekend after we released an appeal for information. As a direct result, other women who were assaulted by this boy came forward and we were able to present such overwhelming evidence to the courts that the young boy had no choice but to admit his guilt.
“More than anything, I am pleased for the women whom this boy sexually assaulted that they have been able to see justice carried out so quickly, and again I would thank members of the public for their support.”
Two other women, a 22-year-old and a 32-year-old, were also assaulted and police are continuing to investigate other offences.
Picture courtesy of Scott via Flickr, with thanks.
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