JOSHUA STANLEY OF HASLINGDEN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR PREDATORY RAPE IN ROSSENDALE AND GREAT HARWOOD

In a case that has shocked the local community, Joshua Stanley, a 19-year-old man from Haslingden, has been sentenced to a total of 12 years in a young offenders’ institution after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving underage girls in the Rossendale and Great Harwood areas.

Preston Crown Court heard how Stanley engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior, initially establishing contact with his victims through social media platforms. The court was told that Stanley, who formerly resided on Clegg Street in Haslingden, used online communication to target three vulnerable underage girls, all of whom cannot be named for legal reasons. His interactions with these girls led to a series of sexual assaults, including two rapes and other sexual activities with minors under the age of 16 and 13.

The court proceedings revealed that Stanley’s first victim was a 14-year-old girl from Rossendale. They met in February of the previous year through a mutual friend, after which they began chatting on Facebook. During the school half-term holidays, the two attended a party at a friend’s house, where Stanley engaged in sexual activity with the girl, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time. This incident marked the beginning of his criminal conduct involving this victim.

Further investigations uncovered that Stanley had also contacted a second girl, who was only 12 years old at the time. Their online conversations took place between late February and early April 2016, culminating in Stanley visiting her at her home in Rossendale. During this visit, he engaged in sexual activity with her, further demonstrating his predatory behavior.

The court also heard about Stanley’s interactions with a third victim, a 14-year-old girl, whom he contacted via Facebook in July 2016. They arranged to meet in August of that year in Great Harwood. During this meeting, Stanley raped her in a secluded wooded area, and he also committed a rape at her home. These acts of sexual violence against minors highlight the severity of his offenses.

Judge Graham Knowles QC described Stanley as a dangerous offender, emphasizing the gravity of his actions and the threat he posed to the community. As a result, he was sentenced to 12 years in a young offenders’ institution. Additionally, Stanley was ordered to serve a further four years on extended licence, meaning he will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least eight years of his sentence.

Furthermore, the court mandated that Stanley sign the sex offenders’ register for life and imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to protect the community from any future risk. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts to safeguard vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Joshua Stanley, whose actions have left a lasting impact on his victims and the wider community.