Brandon Harwood

Brandon Harwood, aged 25 from Bolton, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the Blackrod grooming gang, which preyed on underage girls in Bolton between 2016 and 2018. As part of a group led by Ashley Darbyshire, Harwood contributed to the sexual exploitation of victims under 16, with offences uncovered through a Greater Manchester Police investigation triggered by a 2018 car crash.

The gang targeted young teenage girls via social media and local social spots, using alcohol, drugs, and indecent images to groom them. Harwood was convicted of one count of rape, one count of attempted oral rape, and one count of sexual activity with a child under 16. The abuses often took place at a squalid rented property in Blackrod, where the group congregated, causing significant damage to the premises.

Sentencing occurred at Liverpool Crown Court on 28 April 2025, where Harwood was ordered to serve two-thirds of his 10-year term in custody. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life. This case forms part of a broader prosecution resulting in over 30 convictions for the group, highlighting systemic grooming and abuse. Detective Inspector Samantha Parry noted: 'We could not have gotten this far without [the victims]. You are all so incredibly brave.' The proceedings emphasise the police's serious approach to sexual offences against children.