'Depraved' couple jailed for 26 years for systematic sexual abuse of young girls

10 May 2022, 23:49 | Updated: 10 May 2022, 23:53

Mills and Eccles were jailed at Manchester Crown Court
Mills and Eccles were jailed at Manchester Crown Court. Picture: Greater Manchester Police

By Patrick Grafton-Green

A "depraved" couple have been jailed for a total of 26 years for repeatedly sexually abusing two girls over a number of years, including forcing them to take part in threesomes.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

John Mills, 38, and Tiffany Eccles, 27, admitted more than 20 offences between them including rape, sexual assault, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

In November 2021, a teenage girl attended Bury police station with her mother to report Mills and Eccles for sexually assaulting her for almost five years, starting when she was just eight.

The couple were arrested that day.

Greater Manchester Police said the girl described several incidents of serious sexual offences, with Mills often inciting the victim to "do things" involving himself and Eccles, engaging in sexual activity with them both at the same time.

He tried to communicate with the girl sexually on social media, encouraged her to engage in sexual activity with Eccles and forced her to watch video of Eccles having sex with one of his friends, the force added.

Mills was found to have sexually assaulted the girl at a camping site in Cumbria, raped her in a car on a dirt-track in Farnworth, at an address in Whitefield and at multiple addresses in Bury.

Following the arrests, a second report was made to police by another teenage girl who also alleged serious and persistent sexual offences by the couple.

READ MORE: Elon Musk says he would reverse 'foolish' Donald Trump Twitter ban

The abuse started when the girl was as young as three years old, police said.

She said Mills would ask to do sexual acts with her and even told her about the activity he engaged in with the first victim when he raped her for the first time.

Eccles was regularly present, she said, actively engaging in the abuse and encouraging the victims to act on Mills' requests.

Mills, of Rochdale Road, Bury, was jailed for 19 years and three months at Manchester Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of rape of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration and two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity - in relation to the first victim.

In relation to the second girl, he admitted three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, six counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Eccles, also of Rochdale Road, was jailed for seven years and two months for - in relation to the first victim - one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

In relation to the second victim, she pleaded guilty to one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

READ MORE: Ashley Cole 'knew' he was 'going to die' after four masked raiders smashed into his home

Both victims were praised by investigating officers.

Detective Constable Nichola McGregor said: "Their courage has helped secure lengthy prison terms for both offenders, ensuring they are no longer out in the community engaging in their predatory actions.

"The two girls have endured repeated sexual abuse, the like of which nobody should have to endure, but - despite their young age - their tenacity and resilience throughout the investigation and court process has been astounding; they truly are a credit to themselves.

"Mills and Eccles jointly and systematically sexually abused these two children over numerous years and in multiple locations. They took advantage of their vulnerability; they groomed them, trying to convince them that the depraved acts they were engaging in were normal behaviours.

"Their sentencing will hopefully bring some closure to their two survivors who have spoken to us."

Anyone with information or concerns about someone being sexually abused can contact police by calling 101.

Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse