Paedophile Jailed for Grooming and Assaulting Young Girls

Shane Fielding, 21, of Cheriton Drive, Bolton, has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison for sexually assaulting young girls he groomed over social media.

Fielding used social networking apps to target girls as young as 13, arranging meetings after engaging them in online conversations. He pleaded guilty to grooming, two counts of sexual activity with a child, and three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offenses came to light after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) investigated Fielding's communications on social media platforms. Police determined that he had used online chats to gain the trust of the girls before meeting them.

The charges relate to four victims who were aged between 13 and 15 at the time of the assaults. Det Sgt Lisa Clarke commended the victims for their courage and bravery.

She stated: "I would ask everyone to be aware of the dangers of communicating with anyone they don't know on social media and for parents to be vigilant about their children's access to technology."