MAN JAILED FOR ABUSING YOUNG GIRLS

A Salford man who sexually abused young girls has been jailed for 15 years.

The court heard how Donlon subjected three victims to a catalogue of abuse spanning from 1983 to 2001.

This included three counts of attempted rape, six counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child - all on girls as young as seven years old.

Donlon made one child victim, who he sexually abused over a period of five years, perform sexual acts on him in return for money or cigarettes, whilst on another occasion he held a young girl down and attempted to rape her.

When one of the victims bravely told police what had happened an investigation was launched and the full extent of Donlon’s offending was revealed.

Donlon was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and was given a 20 year sexual harm prevention order which will begin when he is released from prison.

Detective Constable Victoria Burgess, from GMP’s Public Protection Investigation Unit, said: “Donlon is a cowardly bully who abused young vulnerable girls for his own perverse gratification.

“He showed no remorse for his actions and lied throughout the investigation but the jury saw through the deceit.

“What these women went through as young girls is unimaginable and although this sentence will not change what has happened, I hope it brings them some comfort.”