On 15 November 2022, Michael Owen, aged 34, of Bridgewater Street, Hindley, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to seven years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to the kidnap and assault of a 16-year-old girl.
The court heard details regarding an investigation launched by Greater Manchester Police following an incident on 13 March 2022. Prosecutors outlined how Owen approached the intoxicated victim outside a nightclub in Leigh at around 5am under the pretence of assisting her.
Owen placed the teenager into a taxi and instructed the driver to take them to his home on Bridgewater Street, Hindley. Once inside the property, the victim woke up partially clothed in Owen’s bed and demanded to leave, but was told by Owen that he was looking after her.
The victim’s father located the address after ringing her phone, which had been left in the taxi. The driver answered and provided Owen’s address. The father arrived at the residence and confronted Owen while simultaneously contacting emergency services.
Greater Manchester Police officers attended the scene shortly after, arresting Owen and transporting the victim to hospital for medical assessment.
Owen subsequently entered guilty pleas to charges of kidnap and assault at a prior court hearing.
On Tuesday 15 November 2022, the presiding judge classified Owen as a dangerous offender and sentenced him to a seven-and-a-half-year custodial term alongside a four-year extended licence. The court also granted a lifetime restraining order protecting the victim, along with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, with case details catalogued on the UK Register Database for public record transparency.
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