MAN FROM MANCHESTER JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

A man from Manchester has been jailed for nine and a half years today (4 March 2022) for rape and sexual activity with a child.

Jordan Lanzon (13/10/1995), of Stanley Road, Manchester, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court this morning for two counts of rape of a child, two counts of sexual activity with a child, and causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity as well as an unrelated assault.

He was found guilty of the rape offences following a trial in January 2022 and pleaded guilty to the additional offences in November 2021.

The court heard how Lanzon first made contact with his victim - a 15-year-old girl - via social media in 2019. 

He used multiple social media accounts to contact her and lied about his age, claiming he was 17 when in fact he was 23.

The pair met for the first time in Manchester City Centre in November 2019 where they went to the cinema.

The following month they met again and Lanzon informed the victim that he had booked them a hotel room to escape the cold. It was there that Lanzon forcefully had sex with the victim.

The pair continued to communicate following this incident. This led to further contact in December and Lanzon inviting the victim into hotel rooms he had pre-booked. The victim reported feeling scared and forced into having sex multiple times with Lanzon.

During the time that the pair were in contact, Lanzon would ask that the young woman perform sexual acts over the videos calls and via texts.

The incident was reported to police in April 2020 and Lanzon was subsequently arrested. During the interview he denied knowing the victim. However, further evidence from his mobile phone confirmed the pair's relationship and he later admitted to being in contact with the victim.

Detective Constable Hannah Rudd, said:

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"Lanzon is a sexual predator that used a vulnerable young woman to satisfy his own sexual desires.

"He left the victim feeling intimated and scared on multiple occasions and forced her into performing sexual acts over the phone and in person.

"Sadly, we can't take away the impact that Lanzon's actions will have on the victim and her family's life. However, I want to thank the victim and her family for their unwavering cooperation and I hope that today's sentence acts as some form of justice and help bring some form of closure. 

"This kind of offending and abuse is horrendous and I hope today's sentence also sends a stark warning to those who feel that they can commit these offences - from in person or behind a computer screen -  that we will do all in our power to seek prosecution.

"I would encourage anyone affected by this case to contact police, or our partners, to report any abuse or exploitation so that the relevant authorities can act on it."

 

Councillor Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Children's Services for Manchester City Council, said:

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"This was a sickening crime and our hearts go out to the young woman, a child at the time of the offence, who was attacked. We have supported her throughout this process and will continue to do so.  "This conviction is an illustration of how Greater Manchester Police and the Council are working closely together to identify and tackle child sexual exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice."

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available:

Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.