'Depraved' couple sexually abused schoolgirls after getting them drunk

A couple has been jailed after being convicted of multiple sexual assaults.

Martin Finch and Kathryn Wilkinson were given 14 and 5 years in prison respectively at Bolton Crown Court on 6 August and will both have to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

Finch, 44, was found guilty of two counts of rape, seven counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

Five of those counts were sexual assaults of children under 14, and all relate to five girls who were abused on “multiple occasions”, police said.

He would ply the victims with alcohol before sexually abusing them.

On one occasion, Finch raped a victim before Wilkinson, 42, appeared and exposed herself to the victim and sexually assaulted her.

She was found guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

Detective Constable Alastair Macmillan, of Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan division, said: “The severity of this case should not be underestimated.

“Finch is not only a rapist, but also a paedophile. He was cunning and calculated in the way he intoxicated his victims before preying on them, with Wilkinson also joining him in this depraved behaviour.

“I want to thank the victims for coming forward and speaking out.

“I can only imagine how difficult this investigation must have been for them; however their bravery and assistance has helped us to ensure that Finch and Wilkinson face justice for their horrendous actions.

“The abuse that these victims have faced at the hands of this despicable duo has not only left them feeling violated and frightened, but will affect them for the rest of their lives.”