MATTHEW SINGLETON FROM BOLTON SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN BOLTON
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bolton, Matthew Singleton, a 35-year-old man from Westhoughton, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young girls.The investigation into Singleton's activities was initiated after authorities received crucial intelligence from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
This information prompted Greater Manchester police to conduct a targeted operation at Singleton’s residence on May 14, 2021.
During the search, officers seized three mobile phones from his property.
These devices contained damning evidence, including photographs and videos that depicted Singleton engaging in sexual acts with two young girls.
The material uncovered was deeply disturbing and confirmed his involvement in the abuse.
Following his arrest, Singleton was formally charged on September 28 of the previous year with a total of 13 sexual offences.
The charges included serious allegations such as rape, sexual assault of a child, and the production of indecent images of minors.
Additionally, he faced three counts related to the creation and distribution of indecent images.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Singleton admitted to some of the charges, specifically those involving sexual assault and the making of indecent images.
He also acknowledged downloading other illicit material.
However, he consistently denied the charge of rape, maintaining his innocence on that front.
Despite his denials, the case went to trial, which concluded in February of this year.
The jury found Singleton guilty of five counts of rape and one count of attempted rape, confirming the severity of his crimes.
The verdict underscored the gravity of his actions and the harm inflicted upon the victims.
On April 19, at Bolton Crown Court, Singleton was sentenced to a lengthy term of 22 years in prison.
The court also imposed a six-year extended licence period, which will oversee his conduct after release, and issued an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his future activities and protect the community from potential reoffending.
The case has left a lasting impact on the local community, highlighting the importance of vigilant law enforcement and child protection efforts in Bolton and beyond.
