Latest Offenders Blackpool

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A pervert mum who was jailed in 2018 for flashing her breasts at a 15-year-old boy has been sent back to prison after making an ill-advised trip to a Nando's in Barnsley with a group of youngsters.

Karen Robb, 48, from Blackpool, who is a mum-of-one, was first exposed as a predator after grooming a 15-year-old boy on Facebook for over eight months between 2016 and 2017. During video chats with the "naive" teenager, Robb flashed her breasts and promised to do "naughty things" when they met in person.

When the boy's parents found out about his online relationship with the then 43-year-old woman by looking at his phone, they decided to deal with the problem themselves. But when Robb's partner at the time found out about her lewd online relationship, he called the police, reports LancsLive.

In 2018, Robb was sentenced to 16 months in prison and put on the sex offenders register for 10 years. She was also handed a sexual harm prevention order which prohibited her from spending time with under 16s without the prior consent of their parents and social services.

But in August 2023, Robb flouted the order and attended a family meal at Nando's in Barnsley with four children under the age of 16. Between August 15 and September 7, 2023, Robb also stayed at a house in Blackpool where a child lived.

She did not tell the police she was staying there and was banned from doing so under the terms of her notification requirements.

Judge Darren Preston said only an immediate prison sentence could be justified. He jailed Robb, of Barton Avenue, Blackpool, for 28 months.

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A prolific child sex offender befriended a family and babysat their two young children, buying them sweets, ice cream and toys, a court heard.

Their parents knew nothing of Stephen Carruthers' sordid past. He's now been jailed for breaching a court order which stipulated any contact he had with children aged under 18 must be approved.

Carruthers, 64, was only caught when the children's nursery raised concerns with the parents. He was the subject of an indefinite sexual offending prevention order (SHPO) when he first met the children's mother.

Carruthers, of Clevedon Road, Blackpool, was invited to the house but did not mention his previous convictions, Preston Crown Court heard. As he got closer to the family he began looking after the children while their parents went to work.

He put them to bed and would be in the same room when they were having a bath, the court heard. He stayed over at the house on several occasions and was often trusted to be alone with them. However when the parents - who knew nothing of his past - were told by staff at the nursery they were worried about the children's behaviour, reports Lancs Live.

The children's father said Carruthers was "very keen on the children" and would buy them sweets, ice cream and toys.

He visited the house almost every day and would often bend down to cuddle them. When the parents went out and left him with the children, Carruthers told them not to rush back, he said.

Preston Crown Court heard the defendant was subject to indefinite notification requirements, otherwise known as the sex offenders register, which meant any contact with children under 18 must be approved. He had not told the police or social services he was visiting the house and spending time alone with the children.

He has a string of convictions dating back to the 1970s and in 2009 was handed an indeterminate sentence for public protection for an offence of sexual activity with a child. During that hearing, the court heard how he and another paedophile he met in prison lured four teenage boys to a flat they shared in Blackpool, with boasts of money and celebrity contacts.

Judge Christopher Cornwall described the pair as "incorrigible, predatory paedophiles." Carruthers' release was only granted when the Parole Board considered he was no longer a risk, however when his contact with the children came to light he was immediately recalled on licence.

Carruthers pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching of a SOPO and two counts of breaching notification requirements. Judge Sarah O'Brien said there was no evidence he had harmed the children. She said: "Your probation progress report sets out that you have attended all your appointments and have been open with professionals, however you failed to share the most important information - that you were having unsupervised contact with two young children.

"You managed to gain the trust of these parents to be left in charge of two young (children). These are not just persistent, but flagrant breaches." He was jailed for three years.

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A PAEDOPHILE has been locked up for his vile activities online in which he tried to arrange meeting up with ‘children’ for sexual activity.

David Dutton used the internet in Warrington to commit sexual offences against people he believed were children.

They were in fact decoy accounts, with the 67-year-old caught out in a sting by those looking to root out online offenders.

Dutton was subsequently charged with three counts of attempted sexual communications with a child and three of arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

He appeared to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Friday, June 23, with Sarah Badrawy, representing the prosecution, explained the facts of the case to the court.

All of the offences – against three separate victims – were committed in August last year.

One ‘child’ with whom the defendant communicated with in a sexual manner was asked for a photograph of herself.

Dutton also told her she was ‘gorgeous’ and how he wished he was younger so he could ‘take her out’, while he also told her that he was ‘falling for her’.

Another was told by the defendant that she was gorgeous, and she too was requested to send a photograph of herself.

The third was also told by Dutton that she was gorgeous and was the subject of photo requests, with the pervert also discussing having sexual intercourse with her.

In all of the cases, defined by the charges he admitted, Dutton’s sexual communications were intentional and for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.

In each of them, he also did not reasonably believe that the person with whom he was communicating was aged 16 or over.

With each of the ‘children’, there was also an attempt by Dutton to arrange a meet-up in order to engage in sexual activity.

The defendant, now of York Avenue in Blackpool, pleaded guilty to all six charges and was sentenced by judge Simon Berkson to three years in prison.

He must also abide by sex offender registration and notification requirements with the police indefinitely, as well as the terms of a sexual harm prevention order for the next 10 years.

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Last month, William Walker pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted sexual communication with a child on dates between February 10 and 15, 2022.

The 60-year-old, originally from Killyleagh but now with an address in Blackpool, denied a second similar offence.

On Thursday (May 11), Walker was back at Downpatrick Crown Court where he had the second charge – which he initially denied – put to him again.

Walker was then charged with attempting to sexually communicate with a child on dates between February 10 and 23, 2022.

After the charge was put to him, Walker replied ‘guilty’.

Judge Geoffrey Miller KC noted that as Walker had now entered guilty pleas to both charges, a date for the plea hearing could be set.

A probation report will be compiled in England ahead of sentencing, which Judge Miller said would take place on June 22.

The former politician is already on the Sex Offenders Register due to his plea last month and he was released on continuing bail until June 22.

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A convicted paedophile who travelled more than 150 miles to meet a child for sex will now be spending his days behind bars after a specialist partnership operation.

Mark Stephens travelled to Wallsend, in North Tyneside, from his home in Blackpool to meet a 10-year-old girl and her mother, who he believed he had been chatting to online.

However, what he didn’t know, was that he had actually been speaking with a police officer as part of a wider investigation.

Stephens sent countless messages stating his vile intentions with the child and also offered £400 to spend the night with them and record their time together.

Officers from Northumbria Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) launched an investigation and worked with Lancashire Police worked and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NE ROCU) to target Stephens and bring him into custody.

On April 12 last year, the 67-year-old travelled to Silverlink retail park – but was met by police and arrested.

A search of his vehicle recovered quantities of Viagra and a gift for a child.

During the course of the investigation it also came to light that Stephens was being looked into by another force after unknowingly sending explicit messages to an officer, as part of another investigation, the day before travelling to North Shields.

He was subsequently charged with arranging the commission of a child sex offence, attempting to meet a girl under 16 with the intention of engaging in sexual activity, and three counts of making indecent images.

The following day, Stephens, of Shannon Street, Blackpool, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to all charges.

Additional charges were later brought and Stephens was later convicted of attempting sexual communication with a child and attempted breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

On March 30 he was jailed for eight years at Newcastle Crown Court and given an additional six years on extended licence, a deprivation order was also made by the court for the car that he used to travel to Newcastle.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Rob Smoult from POLIT said: “This is a great result which reinforces our commitment to protecting children from predators like Stephens.

“He made his vile intentions very clear and the overwhelming evidence collated by the team ensured a swift charge and left him with no other option but to plead guilty at court.

“Stephens set out on a long journey across the country to meet a girl he knew was underage and thanks to a thorough operation by ourselves and our partners, we have placed a dangerous offender before the courts, and prevented him from harming any children.

“We will continue to work with our partners to tackle online child abuse and sexual exploitation and would urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of offending, or has concerns about someone’s behaviour, to come forward and talk to us.”

If you have any information or concerns that a child is at risk you can report online using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on our website, or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

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A convicted sex offender went on a burgling spree across Lancashire's Fylde coast, stealing jewellery, electronics and a Mercedes.

Zachary Jackson, 27, took a woman's wedding jewellery and piled up items at another house, ready for a return trip, Preston Crown Court heard. He has now been jailed for three years and three months.

During the first break-in, in June 2022, the householders returned from holiday to find their home in Westbourne Road, Lancaster, had been ransacked.

£500 in cash, and around £7,000 of sentimental jewellery had been taken, Stephen Parker, prosecuting, told the court on Friday (December 23). The homeowner said as a result of the burglary she no longer felt safe in her home and was unable to sleep at night.

"This has caused significant loss t her and her family - not only monetary but sentimental value", Recorder Michelle Brown, sentencing, said.

In September 2022, Jackson, from Blackpool, struck again, targeting a home in Mains Lane, Poulton-le-Fylde. The householders returned to the bungalow at 10.30am on September 3 to discover the gate was open and their Mercedes was missing from the drive. They went inside and found the bedroom had been ransacked with draws pulled out and a wardrobe left open.

A laptop had been taken, along with cash and jewellery including watches and bracelets - valued at around £10,000. Jackson, of Bold Street, was later stopped in the Mercedes, with another person and was arrested.

On October 1, a woman who lived alone at a house in School Road, Thornton-Cleveleys, returned from a friend's house at 9am and discovered she had been burgled. Bookcases had been moved in the living room and the TV cabinet was open. The living room and bedroom were a mess, with items being rummaged through and a Dyson hairdryer had been stolen. An enamel Japanese box had been opened and the contents strewn across the floor, Mr Parker said.

The woman was upset but thought this was 'her time' but a few days later, Murphy returned. On October 5 the woman arrived home at 9am and found a blue Ikea bag had been filled with items, a Bose speaker had been taken and items had been piled up, as if the burglar planned to return for them.

"These incidents have spooked me and I now feel on edge entering my property", she said. A few days later, a man was asleep at his home in Lanefield Drive, Thornton-Cleveleys, and heard a noise. He went back to sleep but when he woke he discovered a vintage electric guitar and a number of other items had been stolen.

CCTV and mobile phone data enquiries led police to an address in Bond Street, where it appeared Jackson had been living. Jackson, who has a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being convicted of a sex attack in 2014, had told the police he was homeless but items such as his passport and other documents showed he had been living at the address.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of dwelling house burglary, taking a vehicle without consent and reach of a sexual harm prevention order. He wrote a letter to the court explaining that at the time of the burglaries he was homeless and in the grips of an addiction to class A drugs. He apologised to his victims and said he has worked to tackle his issues while on remand in prison.

Recorder Brown said: "This was a targeted spree of dwelling house burglaries. One was at night and another was a repeat victim."

She jailed Jackson for three years to run concurrently for each of the burglaries with a further two months concurrent for taking the vehicle without consent. In addition, Jackson will serve three months for breach of a sexual harm prevention order by failing to notify the police of his address.

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A man who is still adamant of his innocence despite being found guilty by a jury of sexually abusing a young girl more than 10 years ago has finally been jailed.

Stuart Pyle was found guilty of inciting or causing a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, and six counts of sexual activity with a child following a trial in March.

But during a sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court on Monday, Judge Graham Knowles told the court Pyle still says his victim is a liar and brandished him a dangerous offender who was a risk to other children.

The court was told how Pyle, 47, began abusing the girl when she was around eight-years-old, in 2010, with the offences continuing for around two or three years.

The abuse started off as kissing, then led to touching on top of clothing, and eventually progressed to Pyle touching the girl underneath her clothes.

In two or three instances, he even forced her to hold his penis while he was urinating.

In mitigation for Pyle, Kimberley Obrusik said her client would be afforded no credit due to denying the charges and continues to this day to deny any wrongdoing.

She said: While he doesnt accept he is the reason or the author of the victims trauma, he knows she did suffer trauma and he hold no malice against her for what did happen to her.

What Mr Pyle wishes to say is that he hopes, regardless of his lack of admission, that she can work through her traumas.

In sentencing, Judge Graham Knowles QC said: She did not realise what was being done to her was sexual assault, of course she didnt, she was a child and was being abused and groomed by you.

She could not tell another person for years and eventually she told her mother.

She could not even tell the police or social services, not even when you were caught with indecent images of children in 2015.

She felt fear, and feared if she reported you, you would come after her. She had panic attacks and had to quit three jobs.

All of these things are because of offending by you.

What you did was terrible. She had counselling but it was too painful.

In her personal statement she talks of the shame she feels but that shame should be yours.

All this tells me is that this is absolutely the kind of thing that happens when a child is sexually abused. The blame does not lie with her, it lies with you.

Within years of committing the offences you took to the internet to satisfy your desires and were given a suspended sentence in 2015 for possessing indecent images.

And when the offending against this victim was put to you, you refused to comment.

She has had to wait 27 months since first being interviewed by the police until today.

Theres no remorse on your behalf and you still say shes a liar.

This has caused her distress. You were manipulative and you groomed her.

Are you a dangerous offender? There is a significant risk of serious harm being done by you to other children in the future, so yes, you are.

Pyle, of Washington Court, Blackpool, was jailed for eight years and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order which stops him living at or being in the same house as a girl under the age of 16 without relevant supervision.

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A PERVERTED health professional who systematically subjected young men to sexual assaults as he examined them during occupational health checks for their employer has been jailed.

But the sickening assaults carried out by 36-year-old Marc Manning on his nine unsuspecting victims were only part of the story, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

A former police community support worker, Manning carried out the abuse while he was employed as an occupational health technician, working in Carlisle, Kendal and west Cumbria. But he also spent more than two years making perverted and intimate recordings of men using the gym where he was a member.

Those victims also oblivious to what was happening - were secretly filmed as they urinated or changed clothes. Manning made at least 300 such secret recordings.

The Cumbrian detective who investigated the case said she had never before seen a phone containing so much of voyeuristic material. She expressed concern not just at the quantity of images but also the efforts Manning had gone to ensure he could collect such material over more than two years.

In court, Manning admitted nine sexual assaults and two voyeurism allegations, one relating to multiple offences committed between January, 2018, and last year.

Harriet Lavin, prosecuting, said that the defendant was employed by a private health firm to carry out occupational health checks on workers, most of them employed by a regional employer.

He joined the health firm in 2018.

The health checks would ordinarily include height, weight, blood pressure and eyesight and they would include discussing any actual medical issues they may have and provide urine samples, said Ms Lavin.

Concerns were raised in February of that year after it emerged that Manning was conducting so-called hernia checks on workers. Such checks were not part of any health technician's work.

A health and safety advisor at the firm raised this with another occupational health technician. [He] told her that he and the other health technicians were not qualified to do such examinations and that hernia checks would absolutely not be part of a standard screening, said Ms Lavin.

Due to the fact the victims werent entirely sure what their health checks should entail, they describe trusting the defendant and presumed what he was asking them to do was legitimate and required.

Some of the men reported seeing Manning's mobile phone, propped up against a mug on his desk, prompting suspicion that he had filmed his sexual assaults, though no evidence of this was found.

On one occasion, Manning told a worker his body below the waist could be contaminated by workplace chemicals a pretext for an intimate examination. Another man was asked to remove his top because the consulting room was warm.

Yet other victims reported how Manning asked them about possible sexual health problems yet another strategy to justify an intimate examination, the court heard. Manning offered to give a second opinion on such issues.

The defendant was arrested on February 28, 2021 and his devices including phones and laptops were seized by the police.

Ms Lavin said police discovered scores of videos taken in a gym showing men urinating, or getting changed in changing rooms. Ultimately, the phones contain at least 300 videos and have been recorded in different locations.

The men on the videos are oblivious to these recordings and it appears the defendant has used a background video recorder application which allows the defendant to record the videos covertly, preventing others to become aware they are being filmed.

Some of the workers seen by Manning reported feeling uncomfortable during the checks and one described Manning as very weird.

The court then heard impact statements from the victims. He has completely abused his power and position, said one man, pointing out that his confidence in health professionals had been shattered.

Another said his trust in health professionals was at rock bottom as a result of what happened.

At the beginning in this investigation," commented one worker, "I wasnt sure Id been assaulted. But knowing he has pleaded guilty I feel stupid and nave that I let myself by violated by someone I thought was a trustworthy and professional man."

Yet another worker said: When I was told that Manning had pleaded guilty to sexual assault it made me think it was planned from the start; how rehearsed and scripted it was. It made me think: how many times has he done this before?

Anthony Parkinson, defending, said Manning felt "genuine remorse" for his offences and had already taken steps to address his behaviour. This included signing up for therapy, said the barrister.

But Judge Richard Archer said Manning had abused his position of trust in a way that undermined the willingness of men generally to seek medical help from professionals.

Manning also felt shame and embarrassment, said Mr Parkinson. He also suffers from depression and due to difficulties in his younger years with his sexuality he has struggled with a lack of confidence.

Judge Richard Archer told the defendant: "The extent to which your offending represents a gross breach of trust can not be overstated."

The judge said Manning abused his trusted position in such a way that it undermined the willingness of men generally to seek medical help from professionals.

There is no doubt that your behaviour was intentional and committed for your sexual gratification," said the judge. "I am told that you have struggled for some time with your own sexuality; you had a difficult time in childhood with family members who were unable or unwilling to accept your sexuality.

You have never been in a loving relationship with another man.

I dont doubt any of that but none of it remotely excuses or explains or justifies your offending. These were not the actions of a man experimenting with or exploring his sexuality. This was highly risky behaviour.

The judge added that he had concluded Manning certainly had a desire to film the assaults he carried out, given the evidence about his phone and how it has been suspiciously deployed.

Normally, the previous good character of a defendant is regarded as a mitigating factor. But in Mannings case, said the judge, it was an aggravating factor because this had allowed him to take a job which was a position of trust.

The defendant, of Glenmore Crescent, Thornton-Cleveleys, near Blackpool, was jailed for four and a half years and put on the Sex Offender Register for life. When released, he will be subjected to a sexual harm prevention order.

This will mean he is barred from owning any camera and any digital device he owns will have to be subjected to strict monitoring and control. During his emplolyment in 2018, Manning carried out health checks on 205 people.

Detective Constable Charlotte Jones, who worked on the case, thanked the victims for their courage in supporting the investigation. Manning completely abused his position of trust subjecting his victims to sexual assaults for his own fulfilment," she said.

* If you have been affected by rape or sexual assault, contact The Bridgeway Sexual Assault Support Services 24/7 free helpline on 0808 118 6432.

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A man who raped a teenage girl has been jailed for 13 years for the "wicked and appalling attack".

Osas Amayo, 35, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday following the attack which happened in February 2021.

Police were called around 2.10am on February 2, 2021, after a 14-year-old girl was found by a member of the public close to Revolution Bar on the Promenade in Blackpool.

The girl reported she had suffered a serious sexual assault nearby.

Officers were called to the scene and following a search of the area, a man matching Amayos description was arrested on Talbot Road.

Following further investigation Amayo was charged with rape.

He pleaded not guilty to the offence but was found guilty following a "long and difficult trial" and was sentenced to 13 years in prison, as well as being handed a 20 year sexual harm prevention order and being made to sign the sex offenders register for 20 years.

Detective Constable Matt Duffy, of Blackpool Police, said: Amayo is a dangerous offender who targeted his victim, a vulnerable teenage girl, before carrying out a wicked and appalling attack.

His behaviour showed the actions of an opportunist sexual predator.

He knew the victim was underage but went ahead and committed a horrific sex assault, all to satisfy his own depraved desires.

I cant overstate the impact his actions had on the victim, and she must be commended for showing immense bravery in reporting the offence to police and throughout the long and difficult trial.

I hope the result of this case brings her and her family some comfort, and that they are able to start moving forward with their lives.

I also hope it sends a message that at Lancashire Police we take all reports of sexual offences seriously.

If anyone has been the victim of a sexual offence recently or in the past we would urge them to come forward and report it to us in the knowledge that we take all reports seriously and that victims are treated sensitively and professionally at all times.

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A sex offender who breached his sexual harm prevention order has been jailed.

Stephen Pennington, 34, of Gorton Street, Blackpool, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, March 16).

Pennington was jailed in 2009 after raping a child. As part of his sentence, he was handed a sexual harm prevention order, preventing him from contacting anyone under the age of 18.

Between September and December last year, Pennington was in a relationship with a woman. During this relationship he was in contact with her children, breaching the order. He also gave his name as Stephen Johnson, a name not registered with police, again breaching his order.

Pennington went missing and was wanted by police. He was later arrested in the resort in December.

He was charged and following a hearing at court, sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

Det Sgt Sam Johnson, of Blackpool Police, said: While there is no suggestion Pennington harmed or abused the children he was in contact with, he knew his actions were in breach of his order. He even gave a false name to cover his tracks.

He duped the woman involved, staying with her family, in clear breach of his sexual harm prevention order.

We continue to manage registered sexual offenders and I hope this serves as a reminder to those individuals we will always monitor your behaviour. If you breach your order you could face a custodial sentence.

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A man who was abused by a rapist in Rochdale when aged just six-years-old has helped us jail his abuser after bravely giving significant evidence over three decades on from the incident.

Ian Nixon now aged 57 was sentenced to over 13 years in prison yesterday after pleading guilty to three offences including a rape from 1988.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Nixon abused the boy at a house in Rochdale when he was expected to look after him on three occasions between January 1988 and December 1989.

The victim contacted police to report the abuse in the summer of 2019 and was able to give us graphic detail of a number of incidents that he was subjected to by Nixon during the period of offending.

Detectives from our Rochdale districts Child Protection Investigation Unit soon interviewed Nixon who was now living in Blackpool where he claimed he didnt remember the victim and he couldnt recall the incidents that had been described by the victim; but didnt deny that they had occurred.

Nixon, currently of no fixed address, was later charged with buggery, indecent assault and gross indecency before pleading guilty in December last year

He has now been ordered to serve 13 years and four months in jail and has been made to sign the sex offenders register.

The victim now in his 30s has been offered continuous support from specialist officers and partner agencies throughout the case.

Detective Constable Dave Neil, of GMP Rochdales Child Protection Investigation Unit, said: Firstly, I have to pay tribute to the patience and stoicism of the survivor of this depraved abuse, as it is his bravery when coming forward and the subsequent detail of his evidence that has ensured Nixon will now rightly spend many years behind bars.

The campaign of sexual abuse that Nixon subjected his young and vulnerable victim to when he was supposed to be in his care was utterly appalling and something the boy has had to grow up dealing with mentally and emotionally all the way up to adulthood.

Its clear that no abuser can escape the consequences of their actions, no matter how long ago their offending was, and we will do our utmost to bring anyone responsible for such deplorable abuse to justice; while doing all we can with our partners to listen and support any victim of recent or non-recent sexual harm.

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A paedophile who repeatedly tried to rape a girl was arrested after she wrote "I want to die" on a school computer.

Gregory Witham molested his young victim on multiple occasions leaving her with "severe psychological harm".

Liverpool Crown Court today heard she started self-harming as a result of the abuse, which was spotted by teachers.

But the predator denied any wrongdoing and forced the child to endure a trial, when he blamed her for what happened.

The ex-Navy serviceman, 39, formerly of Walton, shook his head when he was today jailed for 16 years.

Judge David Swinnerton said Witham's attempts to blame his vulnerable victim showed "a complete lack of remorse".

He said: "Of course she is not to blame in the slightest. It's appalling that you seek to suggest that she was."

Witham was found guilty of two counts of attempted rape, which the court heard reflected "repeated attempts" to rape his victim.

He was convicted of eight counts sexual activity with a child, which included four counts involving repeatedly touching the girl's genitalia under her clothing, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, which was an attempt to get her to perform a sex act on him.

Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, said the abuse came to light after an incident at the girl's school.

He said: "It was suggested she had written 'I want to die' on a school computer."

Mr Roberts told the jury teachers were concerned and spoke to the victim, who initially denied writing the words, but said she was unhappy and harming herself, and the reason was because she was being sexually abused by Witham.

The prosecutor today said: "The defendant asserted during the trial and has repeated in his pre-sentence report that she was sexualised and had essentially attempted to come on to him if I can use that phrase, which the Crown would say is a deliberate attempt to impugn her character."

Mr Roberts said there was also "a degree of degradation", because Witham would become angry with his victim and tell her she was "useless".

Six members of the girl's devastated family attended the sentencing hearing this morning.

The court heard a victim statement written by the girl's mum, who said her daughter had tried to write it herself, but became "very distressed and broke down in tears".

The mum said: "She said to me she thinks about what happened every single day."

She told the court she believed her daughter would benefit from counselling, but the girl didn't want it because she doesn't like to talk about the abuse, which brings it all back to her.

The mum said: "She is putting on a brave face, but I know as her mother deep down she is hurting."

Witham, now of Manor Road, Blackpool, who has no previous convictions, was supported by three people sitting in the public gallery.

Jimmy Vakil, defending, said: "I cannot mitigate on the facts and I would not seek to minimise the seriousness your honour of these offences."

He added: "It's always sad when someone of good character, indeed someone who has represented their country, falls in this way.

"On his behalf I ask for an element of mercy in the sentencing process. There is a genuine wish on his behalf to become a better person."

Mr Vakil said his client wanted to undertake any courses available in prison "to make himself that better person".

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A former youth club director who repeatedly raped a teenage girl during a "campaign of sexual abuse" has been jailed for 20 years.

Christopher Rixon, from Blackpool, was convicted of eight counts of rape and six counts of sexual assault.

Rixon, 42, denied the offences, claiming he began a relationship with the victim when she was 16 and it was consensual.

Lancashire Police said it was "lies" and he was a "dangerous predator".

'No remorse'

The offences took place at Monty's Youth Club in the town in 2010.

Rixon, of Holmfield Road, was also found guilty of two counts of inciting a girl aged between 13-15 to engage in sexual activity after a trial at Preston Crown Court.

Simon Morris, of Lancashire Police, said: "I am glad the jury saw through Christopher Rixon's lies, and saw him for the dangerous sexual predator he is.

"I can't overstate the impact that his actions had on the victim, and she must be commended for showing immense bravery in reporting Rixon to us.

"He has shown no remorse by denying the offences, forcing her to go through the ordeal of a trial."

He added: "I am pleased he is now behind bars where he belongs."

Rixon was cleared of two counts of rape of a girl over 16 and two counts of sexual touching of a child relating to a separate girl.

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A teenager from Blackpool, who sexually abused a number of young girls, has been jailed for over 12 years.

Ryan Garside, 18, of Orme Street, groomed his young victims on social media, before meeting up with them to carry out the horrific assaults.

He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court for 20 offences relating to four child victims between 2016 and 2017.

His abuse included the rape of a 13 year old girl in which he covered her face and used a school tie as a ligature.

He was between 16 and 17 when he committed the offences.

At an earlier hearing Garside pleaded guilty to one count of rape, ten counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of possession of indecent images, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and five breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order – issued in May 2017.

Garside was given two sentences - nine years and seven months and an additional 32 months for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order on numerous occasions.

He has also been placed on the Dangerous Offenders Register.

Description

A 19-year-old man who had sex with a 14-year-old girl has been given 12 months custody.

Grant Pearson, of Aintree Road, South Shore, had pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual activity with a child.

Preston Crown Court heard Pearson had sex with the girl twice after they had met by accident at a bus stop and continued to contact each other by text and on Facebook.

Hanifa Patel, prosecuting, said Pearson had been fully aware of the her age.

The girls mother went on to find out what had happened and the police were called.

Janet Ironfield, defending, said: He entirely accepts that he is to blame. He hasnt sought to transfer any of the blame to the girl.

There was genuine affection between the two. There had been Facebook chatter which in the main of entirely flirtatious.

The court heard Pearsons mother had died when he was 13 and his father had later left him imprisoned in Singapore.

Passing sentence on Monday, Judge Andrew Woolman also told Pearson he recognised there was very profound mitigation in his case.

He said: You had very troubled years.