A Liverpool man has been jailed for life for the abduction and sexual assault of a six-year-old girl in Tameside.

Lewis Jones, 24, of no fixed abode, but from Liverpool in Merseyside, has been jailed for life after abducting the girl from a field she was playing in with her cousins at the side of her sister’s house in Droylsden.

The court heard how, between approximately 3.15pm and 4.15pm on the evening of 17 August 2022, the children spotted a man sat on a bench, which was situated right in front of where they had been playing making a 'den'. 

He watched them playing for around an hour, taking photographs of them whilst also on his phone at various times.

He had removed his t-shirt at one point, which revealed a tattoo on his chest – an identifying factor noticed by one of the children and later recounted to the police.

The man then approached the youngsters and asked them to help him collect sticks, before grabbing the young girl around the waist, putting his hand over her mouth and running away with her down the disused railway path, away from her cousins, who then went to raise the alarm with family members.

Family began to search the area immediately and the child was located a short time later. 

Police officers continued searching the area for the suspect, with CCTV and public assistance helping to identify him and leading to his arrest.

When reunited with her mother, it became apparent that the girl had been the victim of a sexual assault.

She was taken to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre where she received specialist care and support was provided to her family.

'An abhorrent individual' 

Sentencing Jones to life imprisonment on Tuesday (25 April), Her Honour Judge Manley referred to Jones as a dangerous individual who was highly likely to commit further, serious offences.

She further stated he would only be able to first apply for parole in 2035, but he would only ever be released if he could prove to the Parole Board that he was safe to be out with the general public.

Detective Superintendent Gareth Jenkins said: “Firstly, we would like to thank the young victim and her family, who have shown considerable strength and bravery when seeing this prosecution through until sentencing today.

“As a team and a force, we are extremely pleased with today’s result, which has seen Jones, an abhorrent individual, removed from the streets for a considerable length of time.

"My officers acted quickly, securing identification of Jones who was a stranger to Tameside. This was only achieved by securing evidence of his approach and exit to the scene and I am very grateful to them and the officer in the case who worked tirelessly and under significant pressure to get this to where we are today.

“People like this should not be free to roam our streets and put our young population at risk – something GMP are committed to.

“If you have any information regarding any such crimes, we encourage you to get in touch with us. You will be believed and we will help you.

“You can contact us 24 hours a day via 101 or through our Live Chat function on our website, www.gmp.police.uk. You can also pass information anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”

Support available 

If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, do not suffer in silence and report it to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

For more information on rape and serious sexual assault and the support services available, visit GMP's support pages.

St. Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who 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 help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

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.

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