An investigation from Greater Manchester Child Protection Investigation Unit has ensured a 61-year-old man remains behind bars for sexual offences against two underage girls.

Mark Edmonds ((11/08/1965) from Bolton was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and he was issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and an indefinite restraining order, after pleading guilty to 15 charges:

• • Sexual assault x8

  • Possession of first gen Category B indecent images of children x3

  • Possession of first gen Category C indecent images of children

  • Possession of Category A indecent images of children

  • Possession of Category B indecent images of children

  • Possession of Category C images of indecent children

Edmonds was arrested earlier this year in February, after a survivor bravely disclosed he had been touching and taking inappropriate images of her.

A further victim was later identified when she disclosed to a friend that Edmonds had been forcing her to engage in sexual activity.

After his arrest, officers seized his devices and uncovered over 3000 indecent images, some of which related to the two victims.

The mother of one of the survivors shared a powerful statement following the sentencing: “When I heard the charges, I realised you were the predator the police uncovered and the girls reported.

“You destroyed my life. You destroyed my girls.”

Another survivor said: “Did abusing me make you feel better about yourself? I will continue to blame myself because if I spoke up maybe I could’ve stopped it from happening to the other victims.

“I hope you understand how your actions have impacted me. I was vulnerable. I was too young to understand.”