News

Man handed lengthy prison sentence for rape of 15-year-old girl in Trafford

A truly horrific incident.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th March 2024

A man has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for the rape of a 15-year-old girl in Trafford, it has been confirmed.

Christopher Kofi Taylor was sentenced to life behind bars this week.

The 48-year-old from Salford was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 5 March 2024) for four counts of rape of a female under 16, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, and section 47 assault, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.

It comes after officers from GMP’s Trafford division were called to an address in the Greater Manchester borough just after 6am on Monday 23 August 2021.

The reports were that a 15-year-old had been attacked in what was an “isolated incident”.

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After pleading guilty to the offences in court this week, Taylor will now serve a minimum of 11 years and four months in prison.

Police have called Taylor’s actions “shocking and deplorable”.

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Speaking following Taylor’s sentencing this week, and applauding the victim for coming forward with her report, Detective Constable Emma Bentley commented: “Taylor’s treatment of a vulnerable young female was shocking and deplorable, as predatory behaviour like this should never be tolerated and eradicating it is a top priority.

“Her courage to come forward and give evidence has enabled us to pursue this prosecution, and though these offences have a lasting impact on victims, it is my hope this result provides some sense of closure.”

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GMP has also offered support services for if you, or someone you know, has been raped or sexually assaulted, and is encouraging victims not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency, so you can get the help and support available.

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A man has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for the rape of 15-year-old girl in Trafford / Credit: GMP

You can report it to police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency, or online at www.gmp.police.uk, or alternatively, you can report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Support is also available at the following contact points:

  • Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre – a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women, and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
  • Greater Manchester Rape Crisis – a confidential information, support, and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
  • Survivors Manchester – specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.

Featured Image – GMP

News

Huge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signs

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Huge bakery chain Gail's confirms move to Prestwich - but spells village's name wrong in signage

After months of swirling rumours, bakery group Gail’s has finally confirmed it’s moving to Prestwich – but locals have spotted a glaring error at the first hurdle.

The popular artisan bakery will be moving onto Bury New Road, right in the heart of the suburb and directly opposite the new Rudy’s pizzeria.

Prestwich locals have been hearing whispers of a Gail’s arriving for a few months, and finally the London-founded cafe has stuck up signs to confirm it’s on the way.

But the sign contains one crucial mistake – it’s spelled Prestwich wrong.

The red window displays now read ‘Hello Preswich. We’ll be baking here soon’.

One local messaged Gail’s to point out the error and to say it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.

Gail’s has since confirmed it’s in the process of fixing the signs.

The arrival of both Gail’s and Rudy’s has already caused a stir in Prestwich, which has always been fiercely independent and has only a handful of chains within it (Greggs and Costa are perched by the tram stop).

In fact, one local business-owner shared a moving statement about his concerns for the future of local businesses just a few weeks ago.

Gail's has confirmed it's opening a bakery in Prestwich
Gail's has confirmed it's opening a bakery in Prestwich
Gail’s has confirmed it’s opening a bakery in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group

First formed in the early 1990s as a wholesale-only operation, Gail’s opened its first cafe on Hampstead High Street in 2005.

Today the brand has more than 100 sites spread across London, Oxford, Brighton and further afield, and is known more as a customer-facing cafe and bakery.

It’s famed for its freshly-baked loaves, cinnamon buns, ham and cheese croissants and coffees, and is likely to go down a storm in Prestwich.

But the signs have been causing a bit of a stir in the wrong way this weekend – in a local Facebook group, one person commented: “Not locals who own it then.”

Another described it as an ‘epic fail’.

And one person said: “Oh the DRAMA of it all.”

Someone else joked: “I cannot wait for Gais to come to Preswich.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Met Office issues snow warnings for large parts of northern England from this evening

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Greater Manchester could be waking up to a winter wonderland as weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued across northern England.

Expected to arrive anywhere from 6pm this evening (18 November) and last until around 10am tomorrow morning (19 November), the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice for large parts of northern England – indicating that “snow may bring disruption to a central swathe of the UK during Monday night and Tuesday morning”.

Weather forecasters say that although most snow is likely to accumulate on higher ground, with five-10 cm on ground over 200 metres, and possibly 15-20 cm over 300 metres, there is a chance that snow may settle at lower levels “within the warning area”.

The Met Office also said that this possible five-10 cm at lower levels is likely to be “more disruptive”, particularly if travelling and if the snow coincides with rush hour, but the likelihood for that is still “uncertain” at this stage.

Greater Manchester could see snow from this evening as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning / Credit: Geograph | Pexels

As the rain, sleet, and snow begin to clear on tomorrow morning, ice may form on surfaces that are untreated.

“We have issued yellow warnings for snow and ice as cold weather moves in from the north,” explained Andy Page, who is a Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office.

“This brings snow showers and some ice to parts of Scotland on Sunday night, and then the potential for a spell of snow to lead to disruption to some transport routes across a central swathe of the UK on Tuesday morning.”

He further added that “gusty winds” in the east also remain a “potential hazard”.

“Updates to the warnings for wintry hazards are likely, so it is important to stay up to date with the latest forecast,” he concluded.

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In addition to the severe weather warnings, a Cold Health Alert has also been issued by the UKHSA, and it covers the north of England and the Midlands right through until Thursday.

Featured Image – Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)

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