JON BRONI FROM WYTHENSHAWE SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING SCHOOLGIRLS IN MANCHESTER

In a case that has drawn significant public attention, Jon Broni, a 23-year-old dance instructor from Wythenshawe, has been sentenced to four years in prison after a series of disturbing allegations involving two 15-year-old girls. The incident highlights the dangers of exploitation and the importance of safeguarding minors from predatory behavior.

Initially, Broni was accused of engaging in illicit sexual activities with the two teenagers, both of whom were students at local schools. It was revealed that he had been involved in simultaneous romantic and sexual relationships with both girls, exploiting their infatuation and trust. The teenagers were reportedly horrified to learn that Broni had been seeing them at the same time, a revelation that added to the distress caused by his actions.

Despite the gravity of these allegations, a judge at Manchester Crown Court in November last year decided to allow Broni to walk free, citing that the teenagers had given him their “fulsome consent.” This decision was met with widespread criticism, as many believed it failed to adequately consider the vulnerability of the minors involved. The judge’s ruling was later challenged, and the case was brought before the Court of Appeal.

In a decisive move, Lord Justice Davis, along with Mr Justice Simon and Mr Justice Holgate, overturned the original verdict. They stated that Judge Martin Rudland had “quite simply got it wrong” in his assessment. Lord Justice Davis emphasized that girls of this age require protection from themselves, asserting that “ostensible consent counts for little or nothing” in such cases. The appellate court deemed the original sentence of a community order, which included supervision for three years and attendance at a sex offenders’ treatment program, to be “unduly lenient.”

Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC had challenged the initial leniency, arguing that the sentence did not reflect the seriousness of Broni’s conduct. The three judges agreed, and Broni was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison. He was ordered to surrender himself at Swinton police station to begin serving his sentence.

During the trial, it was revealed that Broni, who ran his own dance studio in Swinton, had become a figure of obsession for the victims. The court heard that he exchanged naked pictures with the girls and manipulated them into sexual activity. Despite warnings from friends and colleagues about his behavior, Broni continued his actions, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the well-being of the teenagers.

The case came to light after one of the girls’ mothers discovered an incriminating photo on her daughter’s phone. Further investigations uncovered that Broni had engaged in sexual encounters with both girls simultaneously, often during private sessions. Lord Justice Davis noted that while there was no use of force or coercion, Broni’s influence over the girls constituted a form of grooming, albeit less severe than in some other cases. He stated, “They were under his influence and he exploited their infatuation.”

In his sentencing remarks, Lord Justice Davis expressed the view that Broni should have received a sentence of at least six years, but ultimately, the court determined that four years was appropriate given the circumstances. Broni was instructed to report to Swinton police station to begin his incarceration, marking the culmination of a case that underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation and abuse.