RICHARD CONNERTON FROM RUSHOLME SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS IN MANCHESTER

In April 2016, a deeply disturbing case unfolded at Manchester Crown Court involving Richard Connerton, a man from Rusholme, who was convicted of heinous sexual offenses against young girls spanning over two decades. The proceedings revealed a pattern of cruelty and abuse that left lasting scars on his victims.

Connerton, aged 46 and residing on Roberts Avenue in Rusholme, was found guilty of eight counts related to sexual abuse committed against three different girls over a period of 25 years. His trial was complex, having been tried twice; the jury was unable to reach a verdict on eight charges during his first trial, but after a retrial, he was acquitted of seven other charges and convicted on the remaining eight. The court heard that two of the victims had been subjected to sexual assaults, while the third endured repeated rapes, as detailed by prosecutor Mark Monaghan during the sentencing hearing.

As the court proceedings concluded, Connerton was led down the steps to begin serving a lengthy prison sentence of 20 years. Throughout the process, he displayed no remorse for his actions. Sitting in the public gallery, one of the victims, who had endured unimaginable suffering, looked directly at him and taunted him with words of defiance, telling him to