Overview
- Mark Whitworth, 57, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 21 years and Karl Sharples, 38, received 12 years at Manchester Crown Court today.
- The pair were convicted of 66 offences against five victims, with children as young as seven or eight among those abused.
- Their crimes included grooming, sexual assault, rape, assault by penetration, and making children watch or engage in sexual activity.
- Judge Kate Cornell said victim impact statements described deep and lasting trauma suffered by the children.
- Both men were placed under sexual harm prevention orders, and Whitworth, from Radcliffe, continues to maintain his innocence; Sharples is from Atherton.