Three boys aged 13-15 charged with raping girl in joint attack in Rochdale
Three teenage boys have been charged with raping a girl in a joint attack.
Listen to this article
The three boys, who are aged 13, 14 and 15 are accused of raping a girl under 16 in an incident reported on February last year.
They have also all been jointly charged with two further counts of rape of a female under 16.
The boys are next due to appear at Manchester Youth Court on Monday (March 24).
A fourth boy who was arrested in connection with the reported attacks has been released without charge.
Read more: Four boys aged between 12 and 14 arrested on suspicion of raping a girl in Rochdale
The alleged victim is being supported by specialist officers with Greater Manchester Police.
The incident was reported to have taken place outside a Metrolink station in Rochdale - near a large Morrisons supermarket.
Greater Manchester Police's Detective Superintendent Phil Key said: "This investigation has seen extensive and thorough work reviewing all available evidence in this case.
"We are now in a position to charge three boys following the incident last year.
“We continue to provide support to the victim and her wellbeing has been a priority for us over the last 12 months.
"I would remind the public not to speculate on names of those they believe to be involved, as those under 18 have a legal right to anonymity and in speculating over names, this poses a risk to justice, and criminal proceedings can and may be brought against those naming."