ASHLEY CLEARY AND SHOCKING CRIMES IN MANCHESTER AND BOLTON
A man from Salford was subjected to a terrifying ordeal involving abduction, repeated sexual assault, and threats of violence by Ashley Cleary, a 39-year-old man with a troubling criminal history.The incident unfolded in Manchester and Bolton, where Cleary’s violent actions left a lasting impact on his victim.
According to court reports, Cleary first targeted the man in December of the previous year.
The victim, who was employed in Salford, encountered Cleary behaving in an intimidating and threatening manner at his workplace.
Prosecutors revealed that Cleary, at one point, opened his coat to display what appeared to be a handgun, heightening the threat and fear experienced by the victim.
Despite efforts to avoid confrontation, the victim remained at work with colleagues for a period, hoping Cleary would leave.
However, when he stepped outside, Cleary was still present.
Cleary then forcibly took hold of the man’s arm and demanded that he drive his car home, a request the victim felt compelled to comply with due to the earlier threats.
Unbeknownst to the victim, Cleary was armed with a hammer as well as the firearm.
He led the man down an alleyway, where he subjected him to multiple acts of sexual assault over a series of incidents.
During these assaults, Cleary hurled homophobic slurs at his victim, calling him a “f****** dirty little queer,” and continued to abuse him verbally.
The assault culminated as Cleary instructed the victim to accompany him to his home, claiming they were going to his residence.
Once there, Cleary placed the handgun on a side table and proceeded to rape the man in his own bed, continuing to insult and demean him.
During the ordeal, Cleary forced the victim to reassure him that he was not gay, further humiliating him.
After another sexual assault, Cleary retrieved his gun and pressed the barrel against the victim’s head, threatening, “If you tell anyone, I’ll smoke you.” With that, he left the scene.
The victim, dressed only in a dressing gown and barefoot, managed to leave his home and seek help from a friend.
The police were promptly notified.
Law enforcement officers arrested Cleary at his residence on Christmas Eve, where he was found hiding in a loft.
Forensic tests confirmed the presence of Cleary’s DNA on the victim’s underwear, linking him directly to the crimes.
Despite this evidence, Cleary, who has no fixed address, denied all allegations, claiming that the sexual encounters were consensual.
The court heard that Cleary has an extensive criminal record, with 34 previous offences, including an incident where he appeared at a pub armed with an axe.
During the trial, the jury rejected his claims of innocence and convicted him on multiple counts: seven counts of rape, one count of kidnapping, one count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to threaten violence, and one count of threatening with an offensive weapon.
In a statement read on his behalf, the victim expressed the profound trauma he endured, stating, “I felt like it was never going to end.
He used and abused me for his own benefit, for reasons of his own that I will never understand.” Defence lawyer Rachel Shenton argued that Cleary still maintained his innocence, explaining that he was supposed to work as a labourer on the day of the incident, but his shift was canceled due to bad weather, leading him to go on a drinking binge.
She also highlighted Cleary’s struggles with long-standing issues such as anxiety, depression, and intellectual difficulties, and noted that he has a female partner who supports him.
Judge Nick Clarke KC sentenced Cleary to a 25-year extended prison term, labeling him a 'dangerous' offender.
Cleary will serve at least two-thirds of his 21-year sentence before the Parole Board considers his release.
Additionally, he will be subject to four years of supervision on licence after his release, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.
