Long-awaited justice for six men sexually abused as boys in Rochdale and Manchester in 80s and 90s following GMP investigation

Two men have been convicted of grooming and sexually abusing six boys, now all grown men, in Rochdale and Manchester in the 1980s and 1990s following a GMP investigation by a local team of specialist detectives.

Throughout the four-week trial, Manchester Crown Court heard the painful and difficult testimony from the six male survivors who, at the time the abuse started, were aged between just 9 and 13. Their experiences continued for many years.

David Marsh (74) and Anthony Whitehead (72) were finally brought to justice for their appalling campaigns of offending yesterday (29 October 2024) as a jury unanimously found them guilty of all 35 sex offences on teenage boys.

It comes after a comprehensive five-year investigation by specialist detectives from GMP Rochdale’s Complex Safeguarding Team – one of 10 such dedicated teams across every town and city in Greater Manchester – and the Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigation Team.

Detectives worked carefully to identify any victim-survivors and work with them at a pace they were comfortable with to gain their confidence and provide vital evidence about their abuse.

The investigation began in 2019 after we received a report that one of the survivors confided into a person in authority that he had been sexually abused by two men as a boy. Investigators found that one of the men was dead but that the second man, Marsh, was alive.

As our enquiries commenced, we began to form a picture of a sustained campaign of offending by Marsh and Whitehead on boys in Rochdale which would involve exploiting their vulnerabilities, taking them to other parts of Manchester whilst grooming them with cigarettes, alcohol and money.

We approached a number of other potential male survivors who we were incredibly grateful to for providing the details of their experiences of abuse in our effort to pursue prosecutions with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Six men have been supported throughout by our Complex Safeguarding Team and the Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigation Team – comprising of an expert unit of police, specialist detectives and local partners.

Anyone spoken to as part of the investigation has been referred for support at specialist partner agencies and charities, such as the specialist male survivor organisation in Greater Manchester, We Are Survivors and the St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

Marsh, of Northenden, and Whitehead, of Atherton, will be sentenced on 27 November 2024.

Detective Constable Andrea Richards, who has worked on this case from the start, said: “I want to pay a massive tribute to all the male survivors who have played a pivotal role in bringing these abusers to long-awaited justice.

"It was an incredibly difficult decision for them to go through the process, but by doing so and putting their trust in the team they have ensured that Marsh and Whitehead face spending most of their remaining years behind bars.

“I commend and thank everyone we approached during the investigation, every single one of you deserve to be on your own unique healing journeys.

“I want to make clear, none of the male survivors should feel they have to carry the shame or guilt in this case, it is not theirs to carry. I hope that they all feel that they have finally got some justice.”

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker, GMP lead for vulnerability and public protection, said: “The commendable bravery of the survivors, and the immense tenacity of our detectives deserve great credit for bringing to justice two men who have finally been caught up by the severity of their despicable crimes.

“This investigation is a telling demonstration of how GMP does not allow the passage of time to be a barrier to justice. It has relied on brave victim testimony, many months of thorough enquiries and information sharing from partners, as well as ensuring we worked with specialist agencies to safeguard survivors and give them all of the support that they need.

“This old-fashioned detective work coupled with our modern approach to tackling child sexual offending represents a GMP that is determined to protect survivors and pursue perpetrators.

“Our top priority is protecting children across GM. If you are affected by this case or know someone who may be please contact us. Whether it be the children of today or yesterday, when you are ready we will listen.”

Wendy Chappell, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West’s rape and serious sexual offence unit, said: “Marsh conducted a vile campaign of sexual abuse on children as young as nine, while Whitehead sexually abused a fourteen-year-old boy. They acted solely for their own self-gratification, with no thought for the life-changing trauma their abuse would cause.

“These convictions send a very clear message that the Crown Prosecution Service, working alongside our law enforcement colleagues, will relentlessly pursue justice for victims and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.

“I would like to thank the men for reporting their abuse and making it possible to build this case and bring these sexual predators to justice.”

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

- Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]

- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.