Heywood Man Jailed for Rape and Sexual Assault
Francis Henshaw of Bury New Road, Heywood, has been slammed with a nine-year prison sentence plus a two-year extended licence. He was found guilty of rape and sexual assault, ending a troubling chapter that shocked the community.
Brilliant Police Work Behind the Conviction
The conviction comes after relentless efforts by manchester-police/" title="Greater Manchester Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers, who showed true grit and professionalism to bring Henshaw to justice. Their dedication has ensured these crimes did not go unpunished.
Grim Details of the Attacks
- In September 2022, Henshaw targeted a teenage girl on her way to work in Manchester City Centre. He coerced her into a secluded spot and sexually assaulted her. Thankfully, a passerby intervened, rescuing the victim.
- In December 2022, he struck again during a night out in Rochdale Town Centre. Henshaw approached a woman, then dragged her to an isolated location where he raped and sexually assaulted her.
Justice Served and a Warning Issued
Detective Sergeant Steven Gilliland of Rochdale division praised the victims for their courage and thanked witnesses who helped nail Henshaw. He said,
“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 condemned Henshaw’s actions as abhorrent and welcomed the tough sentence. He warned offenders in Greater Manchester: this type of behaviour will be met with zero tolerance.
