A man from Radcliffe has been jailed for life after being convicted of dozens of child sex offences against five children as young as seven.
Mark Andrew Whitworth, 57, of Radcliffe in Bury, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court after being found guilty of 54 offences, including rape, rape of a child under 13, sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
He was jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 21 years before he can be considered for parole.
The court heard that his offending formed part of a wider case involving Karl Sharples, 38, from Atherton in Wigan, who was also sentenced. Sharples was jailed for 12 years after being convicted of 12 offences, including rape, sexual assault of a child under 13 and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Between them, the two men were convicted of 66 sexual offences. Their crimes included grooming, sexual assault and rape.
The Crown Prosecution Service secured sexual harm prevention orders against both men to restrict their behaviour and prevent further offending following their release.
Stacey Gosling of the Crown Prosecution Service said, “Karl Sharples and Mark Whitworth are sexual predators and a danger to children.
“They preyed on the innocence of children, with no care for the profound effect their abuse would have on the victims who still suffer today.
“I would like to thank the victims in this case for their incredible bravery and tenacity in helping us to bring their abusers to justice.
“I hope that today's outcome sends a clear message that the Crown Prosecution Service is dedicated to prosecuting those who exploit children to the fullest extent of the law, and that it empowers victims to seek justice.”
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