Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Thursday 10th April 2025 at 12:25hrs
A 22-year-old man, Joseph Turner, has been found guilty of a string of shocking sexual offences against two girls and two boys, predominantly committed after he lured them to woodland in Rawtenstall.
Following a trial at Burnley Crown Court, Turner, of Linden Lea, Rawtenstall, was convicted on Tuesday of a total of eleven charges, including:
* Two counts of sexual assault on a child
* Two counts of sexual activity with a child
* Four counts of raping a female under the age of 16
* One count of rape of a female over 16
* Two counts of intentional strangulation
* One count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
The court heard harrowing details of Turner’s predatory behaviour. His first victim, a 14-year-old girl at the time, was groomed by Turner, then 20, into believing they were in a relationship.
During this period, he subjected her to horrific abuse, including rape while she was unconscious, sexual and physical assault, strangulation with a belt, and threats with knives.
He also verbally abused her, referred to her as his wife, and even gave her a ring.
Another female victim, aged 16 when she was targeted, was lured to Turner’s flat in Rawtenstall before being raped. He also sexually assaulted her at a cemetery.
Tragically, two male victims were just nine years old when Turner took them to the woods and sexually assaulted them.
Turner was arrested and subsequently charged with the numerous offences. Detective Sergeant Sarah Hargreaves, of the East Child Sexual Exploitation Team, commended the bravery of the victims in coming forward and reliving their traumatic experiences during the trial.
She described Turner as “a dangerous individual who poses a risk to children by his perverted sexual interests and warped sense of entitlement.”
DS Hargreaves also praised the dedicated work of the investigation team, DC’s Jenny Berry, Alex Biggs, and Liam Morris, for their diligent and patient efforts in gathering the evidence that led to Turner’s conviction.
Turner has been remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on June 6th.
If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, please report it online via https://orlo.uk/HfdxI or call 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
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