Rochdale man receives 16 month sentence after assaulting schoolchildren

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Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court

A Rochdale teenager has been sentenced after he assaulted a number of schoolchildren in the Wardle area last December.
 

Read more: A man from Wardle has been charged after school pupils assaultedPublished: 12 December 2020

Rian Power, 19, was yesterday (25 August) sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court to a 16 month prison sentence after pleading guilty to 9 counts of assault, 1 count of actual bodily harm and 1 count of affray.

He has also been issued with an indefinite restraining order which prevents him from contacting victims and restricts him from entering the Wardle area.

The court heard how in December 2020, Power assaulted school children who were walking to school.

He initially approached two 14 year old boys on Stevenson Square in Smallbridge and threatened them before launching an unprovoked attack on the two children.

Power then proceeded to assault further children until he was stopped by a number of teachers and members of the public who bravely intervened and called police.

Local neighbourhood officers quickly arrived at the scene and were able to arrest Power following a short foot chase.

As a result of these assaults, one child suffered a broken nose and a number of other children received minor injuries.

Sgt Matt Honey, of the Pennine Neighbourhood team, said: "I understand that this incident caused a great deal of distress to the victims, their families and the local community.

"The Pennine team have been in regular contact with the school and partner agencies to ensure the children and their families are fully supported throughout this investigation.

"This was a completely senseless crime and I'd like to commend the bravery of teachers and the public as well as the actions of neighbourhood PCs and PCSOs who acted swiftly to arrest the offender, preventing any further assaults.

"I am hoping that this sentencing can provide some reassurance for the victims and their families that this behaviour will not be tolerated in our area and we will continue to work with the school going forward."