Teen Boys Charged with Rape in Rochdale Incident

Three schoolboys aged 13, 14, and 15 have been charged with three counts of rape of a girl under 16, following an incident in a supermarket car park in Rochdale on February 10 last year. The boys, who were initially arrested when the youngest was 12, will appear at Manchester Youth Court on March 24, 2025. A fourth boy who was also arrested has been released without charge. Detective Superintendent Phil Key emphasized the extensive investigation conducted and the importance of not speculating on the identities of the boys due to their legal right to anonymity. The victim has been receiving ongoing support from specially trained officers, and the public is reminded that naming the boys could result in criminal proceedings against those responsible.