A man who encouraged a vulnerable young girl to self-harm while sexually abusing her over a period of several months has been jailed for life.
Karl Davies, a 42-year-old from the Wirral in Merseyside, posed as several different men using fake social media profiles and adopted various different personalities, all in a bid to groom and manipulate his young victim.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) offences began back in June 2023, when a Snapchat account using the name ‘Ben’ messaged the victim – a girl who was aged just 13 at the time.
The communication soon led to image sharing, before ‘Ben’ encouraged the girl to share images with another account under the name ‘Chris’. Over the following weeks, several accounts contacted the girl, disappearing and re-appearing at various points, with phone calls and further image sharing taking place.
However the accounts were, in fact, all managed by Karl Davies.
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Davies used the accounts to alternate between blackmailing the victim to send indecent images, or acting supportive of her issues, and this continued for several months, with the girl sending multiple videos at the request of the different accounts – including being asked to send videos of her hurting herself, using items at the encouragement of the accounts.
Eventually, by June 2024, one of the accounts under the name ‘Sean’ told the girl that she had to meet his friend ‘Mark’ to engage in sexual acts.
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#JAILED | An abuser has been jailed for 20 years for sexual offences and encouraging a child to self-harm in a landmark GMP case.
That very same month, Davies – under the guise of ‘Mark’ – travelled from his home address in the Wirral to Stockport, where he picked up the girl, then aged 14, in her school uniform, and abused her in his car.
This occurred several times throughout June and July, and also during this time, some of the accounts encouraged the girl to hurt herself – with Davies providing her with a razor during one of their meet-ups for the purpose of self-harm.
In January 2025, the girl bravely came forward, and during an interview with police, went through all the details of the incidents.
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A police investigation was immediately launched, before Davies was subsequently arrested on 11 February this year and remanded in custody.
His sentencing came earlier this week (20 October 2025) at Manchester Crown Court, after he previously pleaded guilty to seventeen offences at his hearing on 22 May – including 10 counts of sexual activity with a child, four of grooming, and two of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.
Davies additionally pleaded guilty to the offence of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm, and it’s this conviction that makes it such a ‘landmark’ case for GMP.
That offence – which falls under the Online Safety Act 2023 – is one of the first prosecuted in the country, and the first case prosecuted which involved a child.
“As a seasoned prosecutor of grooming cases I have never before seen such sophisticated methods used to target a young person,” commented Stacey Gosling, who is a Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West.
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“I can only hope that as Davies begins his prison sentence, the victim can begin to move forward knowing her vile abuser has been brought to justice.”
Davies has been jailed for 20 years, with an additional five years on licence.
Featured Image – GMP
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Greater Manchester Police release latest image of elderly missing woman last seen in Oldham
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Police have released a new image of an elderly missing woman after she was last seen in the Oldham area.
The 76-year-old lady, named only as Susette, who is believed to be from the Shaw area, was most recently spotted on Oak Street at approximately 8:56pm this past Monday, 20 October.
Officers and locals alike are understandably growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.
Susette is described as an older white female, around 5’4″ in height, with a slim build and light blonde/greyish hair. You can see the latest sighting of her down below.
Police previously stated that she had been seen wearing a blue anorak, blue jeans, a beige jumper with black stripes and black trainers with white trim.
However, as you can see, she has since been spotted in a similar outfit, apart from now wearing a cream jacket, black trousers and black ‘running-style’ trainers with a white sole.
It is also now understood that she has dementia and is therefore considered vulnerable.
Local Liberal Democrat and councillor, Howard Sykes MBE, has also asked his fellow constituents to remain vigilant and come forward with any and all potentially useful information they may have.
Sharing another photo of her via his official online blog, he went on to add: “Please can we ask anyone with any information to please contact GMP and to keep a lookout when out and about in the community to ensure Susette is found safe and well.”
New from me: Missing Person – Urgent appeal
Missing Person – Urgent appeal.
There is currently a lady from Shaw missing, Susette was last seen leaving her home in Shaw on 20/10/25, 21:00pm approximately . It is believed she’s … https://t.co/oLSCoglqZNpic.twitter.com/x4sHJNhkzY
Luxury £125-a-month Manchester gym Zeno Health Club suddenly shuts down
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s premium fitness facilities, Zeno Health Club, appears to have suddenly shut down.
The luxury £125-a-month gym, formerly known as Hero Training Clubs, sent an ‘urgent’ note to members late last night, saying the club is closed ‘until further notice’.
They then added: “We do not anticipate it reopening.”
The gym has promptly deleted its entire social media history.
Several of the trainers who lead the classes at Zeno Health Club have now shared their own updates and statements regarding the gym’s closure, expressing their heartbreak.
Zeno Health Clubs, located at the foot of Moda Angel Gardens, was split into four premium fitness areas, including a state-of-the-art weights room which held group PT and weightlifting sessions.
The gym also had a spin studio, an open gym with Hyrox and boxing facilities, and a pilates and yoga studio.
In the note sent to members, they said: “Please be advised that the club is closed tomorrow until further notice. We do not anticipate it reopening.
“A further communication update will follow on Thursday 23rd October. We apoligise for any inconvenience.”
Zeno Health Club in Manchester has shut down. Credit: The Manc GroupThe spin studio at Zeno Health Club. Credit: The Manc Group
Head coach Adam North shared: “This evening has been an incredible hard evening. I have put my heart and soul into zeno and from me I am sorry it’s the end of this chapter.
“I will respond to people in time and I understand there will be many questions. When I know anything I will answer them.
“But for now please be kind and rember people have potentially lost their livelihoods, passions and purpose.
“My love to all the zeno members past and today. Just know this isn’t the end from me.”
And another coach, Holli, said: “I do not have the words to express my heart break. I have tried to write this so many times and failed.
Zeno Health Club boxing. Credit: The Manc GroupThe spin studio at Zeno Health Club. Credit: The Manc Group
“But thank you for the most incredible 4 years. The friends, the community, the love, the support, the confidence I have gained will never go unnoticed, or unappreciated. You all have my heart and soul.
“Despite, what you may have to say, or think, please remeber people like myself have lost their job, their livelihoods, where they run their business. Everything they’ve built. please PLEASE be kind in your words.
“What I will say though, please hold onto some hope. Because this journey isn’t over. My hero and Zeno people, from the beginning to now. This family isn’t over. I’m working hard behind the scenes…. And a new door is about to be opened.”
The news comes just months after the shock closure of Blok, a similarly popular fitness and pilates studio across town.
The Manc has attempted to approach Zeno Health Club for comment, but the club has shut down its email accounts and social media.
It’s not yet known what will happen to members who have paid for up-front memberships.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd October 2025 
