Ten men have been arrested and charged with more than 50 offences relating to child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Bolton.

Greater Manchester Police secured charges for 10 men linked to an investigation into child sexual exploitation between 2016 and 2018 in Blackrod yesterday.

The names and details of the men are as follows:

  • Ashley Darbyshire, (01/01/1997), from Westhoughton has been charged with a total of 15 offences, including five counts of rape of a female under the age of 16, seven counts of sexual activity with a female under 16, three counts of inciting a female under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity.
  • Harvie Aspden, (11/12/1999), from Bolton has been charged with three counts of sexual activity with a female under 16.
  • Cory Barrett, (08/10/00), from Wigan has been charged with a total of seven offences in total including three counts of rape of a female under 16, two counts of sexual activity with a female under the age of 16 and two counts of sexual assault of a female under the age of 16.
  • Daniel Flatters, (13/05/1990), from Bolton has been charged with a total of four offences including one count of rape of a female under the age of 16, two counts of sexual activity with a female under the age of 16 and one count of aggravated taking without owners consent.
  • Jack Poulson, (25/04/1993), from Bolton has been with charged with a total of 10 offences, including four counts of rape of a female under 16, five counts of sexual activity with a female under the age of 16 and one count of sexual communication with a female under the age of 16.
  • Jamie Fitzgerald, (05/06/1988), of Bolton, has been charged with one count of sexual activity with a female under the age of 16
  • Elliott Turner, (05/06/1988), of Bolton, has been charged with one count of rape of a female under the age of 16
  • Ross Corley, (14/01/1995), from Bolton has been charged with two counts of sexual activity with a female under the age of 16.
  • Brandon Harwood, (20/09/1999), of Bolton, is charged with three counts of sexual activity with a female under the age of 16
  • Richard Haslam, (16/02/1989), from Bolton has been charged with a total of five offences, including three counts of rape of a female under the age of 16 and two counts of sexual activity with a female under the age of 16.

These charges come following an investigation – Operation Pavarotti – which was launched in 2018 following the disclosure of  alleged offences against multiple victims that were said to have taken place over the previous two years in the Blackrod and Adlington areas.

All 10 will appear at Bolton Combined Court on Tuesday April 4.

Detective Inspector Dave Sinclair, of GMP's Bolton CID, said: "We are committed to bringing those who commit these crimes to justice.

"A significant and exhaustive investigation has been conducted and the victims in this case are being supported by specialist officers at this time, and we thank them for their continued bravery and strength.

“We would like to reassure the public that reports of these types of crimes are taken seriously and we will act on any information provided.

“If you, or someone you know, has any information or concerns, we urge you to contact GMP via 101 or anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”