Francis Henshaw, a man from Bury New Road, Heywood, has been sentenced to nine years in prison along with a two-year extended licence after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault. This conviction brings an end to a disturbing series of events that shocked the local community.
The successful prosecution was the result of determined and professional work by officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Their commitment ensured that Henshaw was brought to justice and that these serious crimes did not go unpunished.
In September 2022, Henshaw targeted a teenage girl on her way to work in Manchester City Centre. He coerced her into a secluded area and sexually assaulted her. Fortunately, a passerby intervened and was able to rescue the victim.
Later, in December 2022, Henshaw committed another attack during a night out in Rochdale Town Centre. He approached a woman and dragged her to an isolated location where he raped and sexually assaulted her.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gilliland of the Rochdale division praised the bravery of the victims and thanked witnesses who contributed to securing the conviction. He stated, “The collective efforts of multiple officers and detectives have been instrumental in ensuring that the victims, in this case, received the justice they deserved.”
Gilliland described Henshaw’s actions as abhorrent and welcomed the severe sentence handed down. He also issued a warning to offenders in Greater Manchester, emphasizing that such behaviour will be met with zero tolerance.
Originally published by UKNIP.
