DARREN ROTHWELL AND SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT ON TRAIN IN MANCHESTER
In a deeply disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, Darren Rothwell, a 42-year-old man from Scholes, Wigan, committed an abhorrent sexual assault on a five-year-old girl aboard a train traveling through Manchester.The assault took place in front of the young child's mother while the train was en route from Manchester Victoria, shortly after Rothwell's release from prison.
Rothwell’s actions occurred just hours after he was released from HMP Forest Bank, a men's prison located in Salford, where he had been serving time for charges related to harassment and assault.
His sudden and violent misconduct unfolded that very morning, marking a tragic turn of events just as he re-entered society.
According to reports from British Transport Police (BTP), the man boarded the train at Manchester Victoria and immediately began to behave aggressively towards two women who were traveling with their young children.
Witnesses stated that Rothwell was visibly intoxicated, swigging from a bottle of brandy and speaking loudly, while cursing and bragging about his recent release from incarceration.
He also expressed hostility towards his past, revealing that he was en route to visit an ex-partner who had a restraining order against him.
Rothwell purportedly claimed that he would be back in prison within the next two days, underscoring his apparent disregard for legal boundaries.
His intolerable conduct included making unwelcome and uncomfortable comments to the two women, one of whom was accompanied by her five-year-old daughter.
In a disturbing escalation, Rothwell asked the young girl to remove her top and give it to him.
When one of the women confronted Rothwell about his behavior, he attempted to kiss both women, further illustrating his aggressive and predatory attitude.
The situation intensified when Rothwell urged the women to search for his alias, Darren Noonan, which would have led them to online news articles detailing his 2009 convictions for rape, sexual activity with a child, and child abduction, as disclosed by British Transport Police authorities.
As the train approached Wigan, Rothwell's disturbing behavior continued when he asked the five-year-old girl for a hug.
Subsequently, he went as far as to attempt to physically remove her from her mother, before carrying out a sexual assault right in front of her and her mother.
The assault was witnessed by the horrified mother, who immediately raised the alarm.
Responding swiftly, police officers identified and apprehended Rothwell at the scene.
His arrest led to a court hearing where he pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was subsequently sentenced to 26 months in prison at Bolton Crown Court.
Rothwell’s guilty plea was entered during an earlier hearing, and his sentencing underscores the seriousness of his crimes.
DC Ian Grice of British Transport Police expressed strong condemnation of Rothwell’s actions, stating, "Rothwell clearly had absolutely no desire to rehabilitate himself after prison but to sexually assault a five-year-old child before he even made it home is beyond reprehensible.
He is clearly an exceptionally dangerous individual, and I am relieved, as I am sure his victims’ family is, to see him back behind bars." He added, "I can’t imagine how traumatic this must have been for them, and I sincerely hope they are beginning to recover from this terrible ordeal." The incident has highlighted the critical importance of community vigilance and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to combat such horrifying acts of abuse, especially when they occur in public transportation settings where innocent victims are vulnerable.
