FRANCIS HENSHAW AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENSES IN MANCHESTER AND ROCHDALE
A man from Heywood, identified as Francis Henshaw, has been sentenced to a total of nine years in prison, complemented by an additional two-year extended licence period, after being found guilty of serious sexual crimes in the Greater Manchester area.The court proceedings revealed disturbing details of Henshaw’s criminal actions.
It was established that the 42-year-old, who resides on Bury New Road, had lured a victim into a back street, where he exerted pressure on her to follow him.
Once there, he committed a sexual assault that left the victim traumatised.
Fortunately, intervention came in the form of a member of the public, who bravely stepped in to diffuse the situation and escort the woman away from the offender.
Further evidence was presented that linked Henshaw to another grave offence, which occurred in December 2022.
During that incident, he approached a woman in Rochdale Town Centre while she was out enjoying an evening.
A short while after their initial encounter, Henshaw sexually assaulted and raped her in a secluded area away from public view.
These offences, occurring in different locations within Greater Manchester, underscore a pattern of predatory behaviour.
In addition to his custodial sentence, Henshaw has been ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
This measure will be subject to regular reviews to ensure ongoing monitoring of his activities and to protect the community from potential future harm.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gilliland, from the Greater Manchester Police's Rochdale district, expressed his gratitude towards the victims and witnesses involved in these cases.
He remarked, “Firstly I would like to thank the victims in these awful incidents for their bravery throughout this process.
I would also like to thank all of the witnesses who came forward to help us bring about this result." Sergeant Gilliland emphasized the dedication of law enforcement officers and detectives who worked tirelessly to bring justice.
“Multiple officers and detectives have worked hard on this case and their efforts have ensured that the victims of this case received the justice that they deserved,” he stated.
He concluded with a firm warning to potential offenders: “Francis’ actions were abhorrent, and we welcome this sentence.
This is a stark warning to offenders in Greater Manchester – this sort of behaviour will be treated with zero tolerance.”
