The main offender of a group of sexual predators who preyed upon young teenage girls in Bolton has been jailed.
Ashley Darbyshire appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Monday 28 April) was found guilty of grooming, raping, and sexually assaulting underage girls in the Blackrod area of Bolton between 2016 and 2018.
He was convicted of three counts of rape, 12 counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of making indecent photographs of a child.
Darbyshire was sentenced alongside three other men who were part of the group, with the remaining set to be sentenced today (29 April).
#SENTENCED | Three men part of Blackrod grooming gang have been sentenced today 28/04/25 for sexual offences against girls under 16.
Ashley Darbyshire (01/01/1997), of Bolton, was sentenced to 15 years, at Liverpool Crown Court.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the offences began in 2016 when the primary offender, Darbyshire – who was 19 at the time – first came into contact with the primary victim, a girl aged 13, and then went on to introduce her to nine of his friends, who each ‘used and abused her at their disposal’ on numerous occasions into 2018.
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The men – who were all aged from between 17 and 29 at the time when the offences began – also approached the other victims, all girls under the age of 16, via private messaging and social media platforms, and got to know them from where many local teenagers would hang out and socialise near the community centre.
The men plied some of the victims with alcohol and drugs, GMP explained, while some of them would send indecent images of their private body parts to the girls, as well as initiate sexual conversations with them on messaging platforms.
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The other two grooming gang members sentenced on the same day as Darbyshire / Credit: GMP
The offences eventually came to light after an incident involving one of the victims and another defendant on Sunday 17 June 2018, after which the police were notified, and an investigation was subsequently launched.
The group of men were all convicted of a range of sexual offences, with over 30 convictions between them.
Darbyshire has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, and is set to serve 10 years in custody, as well as being placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
On the same day as Darbyshire’s sentencing, another man from the group, Ross Corley, was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child and sentenced to 28 months in prison, and another unnamed man was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, and was sentenced to 15 months, suspended for two years.
According to GMP, many of the men ‘showed no remorse’ for their actions in court when sentenced.
Featured Image – GMP
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GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
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Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
Emily Sergeant -
29th April 2025 
