JOHN TATTON, THE SEXUAL PREDATOR FROM HEYWOOD AND ROCHDALE, SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Heywood and Rochdale, John Tatton, a 62-year-old landlord, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage girl. The abuse took place over a period of six months at a property he owned in Heywood, Greater Manchester, where the victim, a 15-year-old girl, was coerced into performing sexual acts under the guise of paying rent.

During the proceedings at Bolton Crown Court, Tatton was convicted on multiple counts, including five charges of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual assault. The court heard that his victim was not only subjected to his abuse but was also linked to a broader network of exploitation involving men convicted of running a child sexual exploitation ring based in Rochdale.

This ring of nine men, originating from Rochdale and Oldham, exploited girls as young as 13 years old. Their criminal activities culminated in sentences ranging from four to 19 years at Liverpool Crown Court last May. The case highlighted the severity and scale of child exploitation in the region, drawing significant public and law enforcement attention.

John Tatton, who was previously residing in Rochdale but has since moved to Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent, was convicted after a five-day trial. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, underscoring the gravity of his crimes.

According to Greater Manchester Police, the teenage girl had initially become friends with a group of girls living chaotic lifestyles involving alcohol, drugs, and sexual exploitation. She moved into a house in Heywood along with these girls, where Tatton then imposed a disturbing condition: she could not live there rent-free and was required to pay for her accommodation through sexual favors. Police reports indicate that she was reluctant but felt coerced into complying with Tatton’s demands.

Detective Constable Dave South of the Sexual Crimes Unit expressed his condemnation of Tatton’s actions, stating, “Tatton is a sexual predator who took complete advantage of a vulnerable teenage girl. He subjected her to a campaign of abuse over a six-month period, during which she was forced to submit to him to ‘pay’ for her rent. Tatton is clearly a danger to young people, and I hope today’s sentence provides a level of reassurance to his victim.”