Two men have been found guilty of sexually abusing six young boys over two decades.
David Marsh (74) of Northenden, and Anthony Whitehead (72) of Atherton, carried out their depraved crimes in Rochdale and Manchester during the 1980s and 1990s.
The pair were convicted of grooming and sexually abusing the boys, who were aged between nine and 13 when the abuse began.
Greater Manchester Police commended the victims – now grown men – for their bravery in giving “painful and difficult testimony” during a four-week trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
The victims have been supported throughout the case by the Complex Safeguarding Team and the Child Sexual Exploitation Major Investigation Team.
They were abused for many years as the men took them around Manchester, grooming them with cigarettes, alcohol and cash.
But in 2019, one man confided to a person in authority, that he had been abused as a boy – and a five-year Greater Manchester Police investigation started.
Detectives found that one of the men was dead but that Marsh was still alive – and began to form a picture of a sustained campaign of offending.
Detective constable Andrea Richards, who 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.”
The jury was unanimous in finding the men guilty of 35 sex offences.
Sentencing is due on November 27.
