Three teenage boys, previously accused of raping a girl when they were 12, 13, and 14, broke down in tears in court upon being acquitted of the charges. Following a two-week trial, the now 16-year-old and 15-year-old were found not guilty of rape, along with all three being cleared of two ‘joint enterprise’ counts. The boys, who denied the charges, claimed during the trial that the encounter was consensual. The incident, partially captured on a mobile phone, was later shared among the boys and others, according to prosecutors.
The jury, after deliberation, found the 14-year-old, who was deemed unfit to stand trial, not guilty of the offenses and of encouraging the other boys. Emotional scenes unfolded in the courtroom as the verdict was delivered, with visible displays of relief and disbelief among the boys and their families.
The alleged assault on the teenage girl, which occurred near Newbold tram stop in Rochdale in February 2024, was described in detail during the trial. The prosecution asserted that the girl was physically coerced and that her lack of consent was evident. The boys’ interactions with the girl, including on public transport leading up to the incident, were scrutinized by the court.
Defense arguments emphasized the nuanced nature of consent, pointing out the complexities of adolescent interactions. Witnesses and evidence raised questions about the girl’s credibility and the circumstances leading up to the incident. Ultimately, after nearly 10 hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously acquitted all three boys of the charges.