JOSEPH TURNER FROM RAWTENSTALL CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE SEXUAL OFFENSES IN BURNLEY

Joseph Turner, a 22-year-old man hailing from the town of Rawtenstall, has been found guilty of a series of heinous sexual crimes involving children and young girls. The conviction was handed down on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Burnley Crown Court, where the court heard detailed accounts of Turner’s disturbing actions.

The charges against Turner encompass a wide range of serious offenses. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault on a child, as well as two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. Additionally, he faced four counts of raping a female under the age of 16, and one count of raping an adult woman. His criminal conduct also included two counts of intentional strangulation and a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm. The court proceedings revealed that Turner’s crimes predominantly took place in secluded areas, notably in the woods around Rawtenstall, where he lured his victims under false pretenses.

The first victim, a 14-year-old girl, was manipulated by Turner into believing they were in a romantic relationship. During this period, Turner committed multiple offenses against her, including raping her while she was unconscious, sexually assaulting her, physically attacking her, strangling her with a belt, and threatening her with knives. The victim was subjected to verbal abuse throughout the ordeal. Turner also referred to her as his wife and even purchased her a ring, further entrenching his manipulative tactics.

The second victim, a 16-year-old girl, was also deceived by Turner, who lured her to his flat in Rawtenstall before raping her. He further committed sexual assault on her at a cemetery, exploiting her trust and vulnerability.

In addition to these female victims, Turner targeted two young boys, both only nine years old. He took them into the woods where he sexually assaulted them, demonstrating a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Following a thorough investigation, Turner was arrested and charged with these numerous offenses. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to face a formal sentencing hearing on June 6, 2025. The case has drawn significant attention from law enforcement and the community alike.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Hargreaves, a member of the East Child Sexual Exploitation Team, issued a statement emphasizing the danger Turner poses: “Turner is a dangerous individual who poses a risk to children due to his perverted sexual interests and warped sense of entitlement. I welcome these verdicts which came out of the bravery of the victims who came forward and testified about their experiences. I want to thank the investigation team, including DCs Jenny Berry, Alex Biggs, and Liam Morris, for their diligent work.”

Following the court’s verdict, Lancashire Constabulary has urged victims of sexual offenses to come forward, either through online reporting channels or by contacting emergency services. Authorities remain committed to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that offenders like Turner are held accountable for their actions.