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.
#JAILED | Today, Christopher Kofi Taylor (26/12/1975) from #Salford was jailed to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of over 11 years, after the rape of a 15-year-old girl in #Trafford.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) March 5, 2024
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.”
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
Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation to open in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation is set to open its doors in Manchester very soon.
Since it was first founded in Los Angeles all the way back in 2009, Reformation has gone on to become one of the largest sustainable womenswear brands on the planet, and is now known and loved for making beautiful, timeless apparel and accessories that aim to ‘inspire confidence’ across life stages and occasions.
Operating on a business model that pairs a smart approach to merchandising with a responsive supply chain, Reformation now operates more than 70 retail stores across the US, UK, Canada, and France.
At the heart of the Reformation story is a genuine commitment to ‘doing things differently’.
Since day one, sustainability has been woven into everything the brand makes – from the eco-certified fabrics and responsible factories, to its famously transparent sustainability reports.
Currently, Reformation has five UK stores to its name – but, it may come as no surprise to fans of the brand that they’re all in London.
That’s why the news of this new Manchester opening is such a big deal.
Set to be the label’s first UK store outside of the capital, Reformation has secured a prime spot on King Street in the heart of the city centre, and although there’s no confirmed opening date as of yet, if the shop windows saying ‘Summer 2026’ are anything to go by, we can only imagine it’ll be very soon.
“For Manchester, it’s a landmark moment, and for King Street, it’s the latest signal that this is one of the UK’s most exciting retail destinations,” a spokesperson for King Street said in a statement.
Stay tuned for details on opening dates to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
Andy Burnham to begin rolling out new ‘everyday fixes’ for Brits amid cost of living crisis
Emily Sergeant
A series of ‘everyday fixes’ to help combat the rising cost of living crisis are soon to be rolled out nationwide.
Kicking off with two measures today, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that he plans to ban retailers from making ‘misleading’ claims to customers about discounts.
The Government says shoppers have ‘increasingly complained’ about outlets artificially inflating prices to give a false sense of value, such as increasing prices only to then immediately advertise ‘discounts’ to make savings look larger than they really are, which goes on to create an uneven playing field for honest competitors.
The Prime Minister also wants to see an end to so-called ‘subscription traps’, where people find it hard to cancel their subscriptions, and contracts are automatically renewed at a higher cost.
Set to come into force in January 2027 and saving people an average of £14 a month for every unwanted subscription, the changes will mean businesses will need to provide clearer up-front information, regular reminders. and a ‘much easier’ exit to contracts.
Andy Burnham to begin rolling out new ‘everyday fixes’ for Brits amid cost of living crisis / Credit: gov.uk | Piotr Cichosz (via Unsplash)
A new 14-day cooling-off period will also be introduced to let consumers cancel after a trial or long-term contract renews.
Certain charitable memberships, like the ones for cultural and heritage organisations for example, will be excluded from the new subscription rules due to the fact they have a unique role in preserving the nation’s history, landscapes, and cultural collections.
The Prime Minister says he is ‘determined’ to use every chance he gets to restore fairness and take pressure off people.
“I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps,” Andy Burnham said. “Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles like this are just part of life, but I don’t think that’s right, especially when the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on so many people’s lives.”
Emily Sergeant -
6th March 2024 
