A Rochdale man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted of multiple historic sexual offences, including the rape and sexual assault of a child, following a police investigation spanning over two decades.
Lee Smith, 46, of Kirkway, Rochdale, was found guilty in July at Minshull Street Crown Court of nine serious sexual offences. The charges included rape, indecent assault, sexual activity with a child, and attempted sexual communication with a minor.
The court heard how Smith first began abusing a young boy in 1999, after becoming acquainted with a relative of the victim. The abuse took place repeatedly over the next ten years, often while visiting the boy’s home under the guise of reading a bedtime story.
Prosecutors described how Smith manipulated the child through grooming, instilling a sense of obligation and normalising the abuse. The boy, who has since become an adult, only disclosed the incidents years later to trusted friends and family members, prompting a full investigation by Greater Manchester Police.
In a separate incident in November 2024, Smith was arrested after engaging in explicit online communication with what he believed to be a 13-year-old boy. Police traced the activity to his address and charged him with attempted sexual communication with a child.
The charges Smith was convicted of include:
- Two counts of indecent assault
- Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under Section 9
- One count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity under Section 10
- One count of causing sexual activity without consent (Section 4)
- One count of sexual assault
- One count of rape
- One count of attempted sexual communication with a child
Sergeant Kathryn Ross of GMP praised the courage of the victim, stating: “Lee Smith’s sickening exploitation of a child over more than a decade shows the type of heinous individual he is. I am glad justice has finally caught up with him.”
She added: “Even 25 years after the abuse began, Smith was still attempting to exploit children. His victim showed remarkable bravery in coming forward, and I want to thank them for helping to bring Smith to justice.”
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