Latest Offenders Lancashire

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Clitheroe sex offender jailed after indecent images found on laptop

Richard De’Andrade, 56, of Duck Street, Clitheroe, has been jailed after police found indecent images of children on a laptop seized during monitoring of a sexual harm prevention order.

De’Andrade was already subject to that order after a 2016 suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court for making indecent images.

On 19 February last year, officers attended his home and seized a laptop. Forensic examination found one category A image, one category B image and 23 category C images of children.

Prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, Paul Brookwell said the images were in thumbnail form, which meant De’Andrade had previously viewed them in full. Police also recovered a USB stick concealed under a tray that had not been made available for inspection, breaching the existing order. Analysis of the USB found no offending material.

De’Andrade admitted the offences. Defending, Bob Elias offered little mitigation, describing the offences as “unpleasant,” and asked the court to consider the defendant’s ill health and that he is awaiting a heart operation.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Maher said: “You are a person with considerable technical ability and experience in the field of cyber security and computing.

“It may be a relatively small number of images, but people like you create a demand for this filth, so you contribute to the continued harm of the children depicted.”

De’Andrade was sentenced to 16 months in prison. The previous sexual harm prevention order was quashed and replaced with a new 15-year order. He will also be subject to sex offender notification requirements for 15 years. A deprivation order was made for the laptop and USB stick.

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A man from Burnley has been jailed for breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In 2019 Eamon Brewster was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

As part of the conditions of his SHPO, Brewster was required to register any new devices with police within three days of purchase.

In August this year, officers attended Brewster’s home address to carry out a home compliance visit. During this visit they discovered a new laptop belonging to Brewster which he had not made them aware of.

Following enquiries, it was established that the laptop had been used for the last few weeks. As a result, Brewster was arrested for breaching his SHPO.

Brewster, 70, formerly of Parker Lane, Burnley appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentence on Saturday 15th August having pleaded guilty to one count of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

He was jailed for a year.

PC Anthony Hogan of the Management of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders team at East Division said:

“Brewster breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order by purchasing and using a new laptop without notifying police.

“He disregarded the order imposed on him by the court but was caught out by our team making unannounced visits to monitor his behaviour.

“I welcome the prison sentence handed out, it shows that breaching orders put in place by the court will not be tolerated.”

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Kyle Thompson jailed for sexual assaults on two women

Kyle Thompson, 40, of Coniston Avenue, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, has been jailed after sexually assaulting two women in quick succession.

He appeared at Preston Crown Court charged with three counts of sexual assault on a female and one count of intentional strangulation. The offences took place on 21 February while Thompson was heavily intoxicated.

Thompson arrived at a property and, despite being told to leave, removed his trousers and tried to kiss the first victim. Judge Robert Altham said: “She says you tried to grab her face, and you used such force that you nearly broke her glasses.”

After she escaped, Thompson forced his way in, sexually assaulted a second woman and told her he was a registered sex offender.

Of the impact on the second victim, Judge Altham said: “The effect has been profound. She describes feeling frightened, shocked and sickened during the sexual assaults, and as a result she suffered fear and anxiety and felt it has impacted her health and everyday activities. It has had an impact on her confidence, well-being, and sense of security.”

Rachel Woods, mitigating, said Thompson pleaded guilty, has not drunk alcohol or taken drugs since the incidents, and is now on better terms with his family. She told the court: “He only has himself to blame; he is his own worst enemy. He has been grateful for the period of time in custody to become devoid of drink and drugs; in many ways, his incarceration has brought him and his family back together.”

Thompson was sentenced to four years and eight months, including an additional two months for breaching a suspended sentence.

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A registered sex offender has been jailed after indecent images of children and extreme pornography were found on devices belonging to him.

Frazer McDonald (pictured) was given a sexual harm prevention order in 2017 for making indecent images of children.

As part of that order, McDonald was subject to visits from Lancashire Police while living at an address in Pilling. 

In August last year, officers arrested McDonald after receiving information he was in possession of indecent images of children.

Devices were seized from him on that occasion and on subsequent visits.

Examination of those devices found child abuse images involving very young children, and extreme pornography.

McDonald was also found to have breached his sexual harm prevention order by failing to make a smartphone available for inspection and using an online name without registering it with police.

During one of the monitoring visits, he was also found in possession of crystal meth, a Class A controlled drug.

McDonald, 56, formerly of Glenfield Leisure Park, Smallwood Hey Road, Pilling, appeared at Preston Crown Court last week (August 6th) for sentence.

He had pleaded guilty to offences of making indecent images of children, possessing prohibited images of a child, possession of extreme pornography, breaching a sexual harm prevention order, failing to notify under terms of sex offender requirements and possession of crystal meth.

The judge jailed him for three years, made him subject of sex offender notification requirements and imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Adam Weaver of our Monitoring of Sexual Offenders and Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) West team, said:

“Frazer McDonald displayed a total disregard to the sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements.

“He was found with indecent images of children on the devices he held, and extreme pornography – images which are abhorrent and sickening.

“This was a joint investigation involving MOSOVO West and the sexual exploitation team at Lancaster, supported by digital forensics.

“As a result of that work, a high-risk individual has been taken off the streets of Lancashire and sent to prison.”

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A man who took indecent images of an unknowing teenage girl has been sentenced by a court.

Liam Bryan (pictured) zoomed in on intimate areas of the girl’s body and had videos and still images on his phone.

He knew the girl and the images were taken in a social setting without her being aware she was being filmed and photographed.

Our investigation began in July last year after Bryan had posted sexual remarks on a Reddit account.

Officers arrested Bryan in Accrington on September 18th and seized his phone.

When the phone was examined, the images of the girl were found.

The images were close-ups of different parts of her body when she was wearing jeans and a vest top.

When officers told the girl about the images found on Bryan’s phone, she was horrified.

Bryan, 26, of Worston Close, Accrington, appeared before Blackburn Magistrates Court this week (August 11th) after pleading guilty to making indecent images of a child.

He was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years, made subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order and given a lifetime restraining order regarding his victim.

Bryan was also given an alcohol abstinence order for 60 days.

In a Victim Personal Statement read to the court, the girl said:

“Once the police went through Liam's phone, they later came to tell me Liam had actually taken photographs of me when I was not looking and focused on my bum and chest area, I felt really upset and embarrassed.

“After this day I started to process what Liam had done and as time went on my mental health took a toll.

“I didn't want to leave my bedroom for weeks. I didn't want to talk to anyone or be involved in family activities. I didn't want to be seen in public. I thought everyone was talking about me. The area where I live is a small community news travels fast.”

Detective Constable Beth Turner of the Internet Child Exploitation Team, said: “Liam Bryan’s actions caused a huge amount of distress for his teenage victim.

“Unknown to her, he had taken the indecent images, and it was such a shock to her when she learned what had happened.

“She is a teenage girl who is entitled to go about her life feeling safe and not have someone taking images which she had no idea about at the time.”

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A predatory paedophile who raped and sexually abused a girl has been sentenced to 16 years in jail and four years on extended licence.

Robert Douglas was a registered sex offender when he carried out the sexual abuse in the Preston area between December 2025 and February 2026.

The abuse included rape and other sexual offences. In addition to the sexual abuse of the girl, Douglas sent her sexually explicit messages and encouraged her to send them too. As part of their investigation officers found over 1,000 indecent images of children on Douglas’ phone.

Robert Douglas, 26, of Ash Drive, Warton, Preston was convicted of multiple sexual offences after pleading guilty to 17 charges, covering:

• Rape of a child
• Sexual abuse of a child
• Multiple Indecent Image offences (possession of category A, B and C images of young children)

He was sentenced on Monday 20th July at Preston Crown Court to a total of 16 years in custody and four years on extended licence.

He will need to serve two thirds of the 16 year custodial sentence before being eligible for parole. 

The victim’s Dad said:

“My daughter has always been the heart of our family. She was bright, confident, and full of life. Watching her grow into a bright, thoughtful, compassionate and socially vibrant young girl has been one of my greatest joys as her father.

“Since the abuse, everything has changed. The impact on her emotional wellbeing has been devastating. The effects are ongoing, far reaching, and deeply painful. We are doing everything we can to support her, but the road ahead is long, and the consequences of this trauma are present in every corner of our lives.”
Detective Constable Helen Morrison of Lancashire Police said:

“I want to commend the victim's extraordinary bravery. Her courage in coming forward and standing strong throughout this investigation was vital.

“Justice has been served with the sentencing of Douglas, a dangerous paedophile who preyed upon a vulnerable victim. His significant custodial sentence reflects the horrific nature of his actions.

“I want all victims of sexual offences to know that, should they choose to come forward, they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity, professionalism, and respect.

“We hope this result brings the victim some peace and closure as she moves forward with her recovery.”

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A man, with links to Waterfoot, is being hunted by police. 

The 41-year-old man is wanted by police for failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements.

Lee Haslam, also known as 'Manny Lee' or 'Tight', is described as 5ft 6in tall with shoulder-length ginger hair, a moustache and a beard.

He has links to Waterfoot, Salford, Huddersfield, Scarborough and North London.

A police spokesperson said:

"Can you help us find Lee Haslam, who is wanted?

"Haslam, 41, who also uses the alias’ ‘Manny Lee’ and ‘Tight’ is wanted for failing to comply with his Sex Offender Notification Requirements.

"He is 5ft 6in with shoulder-length ginger hair, a moustache and a beard.

"Haslam has links to Waterfoot, Salford, Huddersfield, Scarborough and North London."

For sightings, call 101 or email [email protected] quoting log 290 of July 13.

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A man is wanted by police for breaching sex offender notification requirements.

Timothy Talbot, 32, has connections to Blackburn and Darwen and is of slim build, 5ft 7in tall, with light brown hair and short facial hair.

He is also wanted on recall to prison.

A police spokesperson said:

"Have you seen Timothy Talbot?

"Talbot, 32, is wanted for failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements. He is also wanted on recall to prison.

"He is 5ft 7in tall, of slim build, has light brown hair and short facial hair.

"Talbot has connections to Blackburn and Darwen.

"For any sightings of Talbot, or if you have any information that could help us, please call 101 quoting log 822 of July 14."

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A sick pervert who sexually abused two young boys over more than 20 years has been jailed.

Vile David Preedy targeted the vulnerable victims for his own sexual gratification carrying out multiple offences against the youngsters.

His catalogue of offending was exposed after one of the victims bravely came forward last year to report to police what had happened.

And following a complex and sensitive investigation by our officers Preedy was charged.

In January he pleaded guilty to 12 sexual offences committed between August 2001 and December 2024.

Preedy, now 81, formerly of Park Avenue, Burnley appeared at Preston Crown Court on July 3rd where he was jailed for 10 years.

Det Con Elley Ormerod, of Burnley CID, said:

“First and foremost I would like to commend the victims in this case. Without their courage we would not have been able to secure these convictions, and I hope that this lengthy custodial sentence gives them some sense that justice has been done.

“We are committed to making sure those responsible for carrying out sexual abuse like Preedy are held accountable and I hope this gives others who may also have suffered abuse the courage to come forward and speak to us, confident in the knowledge that we will listen, and we will investigate with professionalism and sensitivity.”

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A man who sexually assaulted a woman, attempted to derail the investigation into his offending from inside prison. 

Liam Hall (pictured) was remanded to HMP Preston in June last year after being charged with assaulting the woman in Bacup.

While on remand, he was further interviewed by police officers about sexual offences against the same victim.

Just half an hour after being interviewed, Hall contacted his mum Amanda Hall by prison phone.

He informed her of what had been put to him in interview and directed her to speak to witnesses in the case.

During subsequent phone calls over the following days, Hall and Amanda Hall discussed the witnesses, with Hall encouraging her to get them to withdraw their statements.

Amanda Hall also advised her son to ‘Lie his back out on the stand, the court will never prove you are lying’.

She was found to have made phone calls to two witnesses.

Enquiries also showed that Liam Hall sent multiple emails to the victim on a prisoner service email account, asking her to drop the charges.

Liam Hall, 29, of no fixed address, and Amanda Hall, 53, of Peel Lane, Heywood, appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentence today (10th July).

Both had been found guilty by a jury after a trial in May of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Liam Hall was further found guilty of sexual assault by penetration, assault causing actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

He was jailed for five years, placed on the sex offenders register and made subject of a 10-year restraining order regarding his victim.

Amanda Hall was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 140 hours community service.

Detective Constable Dan Healey of our East division Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said:

“Liam Hall assaulted and sexually assaulted his victim, then deliberately set about trying to interfere with the investigation into his offending.

“From inside prison where he had been remanded by the court, Hall plotted with his mum to contact witnesses and get them to withdraw their statements.

“What they did strikes at the heart of the justice system.
“The victim of Liam Hall’s offending showed a huge deal of bravery in reporting the offences and then giving evidence at the trial.

“Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated by Lancashire Police.

“If you have been a victim, please report it. You will be supported and we will thoroughly investigate in a bid to bring offenders to justice.”

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A man has been given a 14-year sentence for attempting to rape a teenager. 

Florin Panainte (pictured) attacked the girl at an address in Morecambe in October last year.

She told family members what had happened and Panainte was arrested the same day in Morecambe.

Panainte, 38, of no fixed address, was found guilty by a jury after a trial at Preston Crown Court of attempted rape.

Returning to the dock for sentence on 26th June, he was given a 14-year sentence comprising of nine years imprisonment and a five-year extended licence period.

He was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years and a 20-year restraining order.

Detective Constable Sam Ripley of the Child Protection Team at Lancaster CID, said:

“This was an abhorrent sexual offence committed against a teenage girl.

“He tried to rape her and only the girl’s bravery stopped the attack.

“I welcome the prison sentence and extended licence which the judge imposed on Florin Panainte.

“If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, please report it. You will be supported and we will investigate thoroughly to bring the offender to justice.

“Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated by Lancashire Police.”

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A man who videoed himself sexually assaulting a young girl and had hundreds of indecent images of other children on a laptop and phone, has been jailed for 14 years. 

Lancashire Police launched an investigation after a USB containing videos of Kiefer Garner assaulting the girl was discovered.

The USB also had naked pictures of his victim and another girl.

When Garner (pictured) was arrested in Blackburn, officers seized a laptop and mobile phone from his home.

A total of 519 indecent images were found on the USB, laptop and mobile, with 92 of those deemed Category A – the most serious category.

On the USB, there were also several screen recordings from Snapchat in which Garner used a different name on the profile and had an image of a young adult male – not an image of himself.

The screen recordings showed Garner engaging in conversations with young females and exchanging images.

Garner, 35, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court Sessions House last week (15th June) after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to charges of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration, assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, cause/incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13, and making indecent photographs of a child.

He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with an eight-year extended licence period.

Garner was made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders register for life.

Det Con Cathryn Whitworth of Lancashire Police, said:

“Kiefer Garner is a very dangerous individual and I welcome the lengthy sentence imposed on him by the judge.

“Garner has an abhorrent interest in young girls, as shown by his guilty pleas to these offences.

“If you have been a victim of sexual assault or you know someone who has, please report it to Lancashire Police.

“We will support you and investigation thoroughly in a bid to bring offenders to justice.”

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A man has been jailed for 13 years for sexually assaulting two children.   

Lee Lomas, 47, (pictured) raped one of the girls and incited sexual activity with the other.

Both of his victims were under the age of 13 when Lomas preyed on them.

He was arrested in Blackpool in May 2025 after the victims had disclosed to their parents what had happened.

Lomas, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court last Friday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to rape of a child under the age of 13, inciting sexual activity with a child under 13, and possession of indecent images of children.

He was jailed for a total of 13 years, made subject of a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was put on the sex offenders register for life.

Det Con Jon Porter of West Division CID, said:

“Lee Lomas committed abhorrent offences against two young victims and will now serve a lengthy sentence of imprisonment.

“The children were very brave in telling their parents what had happened and the offences were reported to us.

“If you have been a victim of sexual assaults or know someone who has been, please report it to Lancashire Police.

“We will support you and investigate thoroughly in order to bring offenders to justice.”

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A former village butcher has been jailed for indecently assaulting two girls more than 50 years ago. 

John Priestley committed his offences in the early 1970s, when he was the local butcher in Croston.

Priestley’s offending was reported to us in 2022, by one of his now his now adult victims, who was aged 11 when he first assaulted her.

Police enquiries identified Priestley’s second victim, who was 13 when he first assaulted her.

We launched an investigation and Priestley was interviewed. During the interview, Priestley denied any wrongdoing whatsoever.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Priestley, 83, of Glamis Road, Leyland, was summonsed to court, where he pleaded not guilty, putting both of his victims through the ordeal of a trial.

A jury at Preston Crown Court saw through Priestley’s lies and unanimously found him guilty of seven charges of indecent assault after a trial in April.

On Monday (15th June), he appeared back in the dock at Preston Crown Court, where Judge Phillip Parry sentenced Priestley (pictured) to three-and-a-half years imprisonment.

In a Victim Impact Statement, one of the victims said:

“This abuse has affected me throughout my whole life. What he did to me enters my head almost every day and has done for the past 50 years. I have suffered emotionally since the abuse began.”

She continued: 

“One of the worst things about this abuse is the way it affected my ability to bring up my children and how it has affected my relationship with my husband. I made decisions about the children that I wouldn't have made if I had never been abused.

“I am a victim of John Priestley and as a result my husband, my children and my 

Grandchildren are also victims. I can never put the abuse out of my head.”

Det Con Will Hogan, of Lancashire Police said: 

“Priestley’s victims have had to live for more than 50 years with the harrowing effects of the crimes he committed, before they had the courage to report them. They now have justice after conducting themselves with such strength throughout this process.

“Priestley used his good standing as a village businessman to make himself seem like a good person – he is not. He pretended to be a member of the local community, someone who was known around the village as a decent person, all while he was sexually abusing young girls.

“Priestley is 83 and will spend a considerable time in custody and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life.

“I hope Priestley’s victims feel some sense of justice, knowing he has finally been sentenced for his crimes.”

“If you’ve been a victim of any sexual offence, at any time, please report it to Lancashire Police.

“We will listen to you, support you and investigate appropriately, no matter how long ago it happened.”

Description

The man pictured is Michele Scappatacci. He is a paedophile who last week was jailed for his crimes.

In November 2025, we received a report that Scappattacci had sexually assaulted and incited a young girl to engage in sexual activity with him, over the course of around four years.

An investigation commenced, and we found that Scappatacci had sexually assaulted his victim a number of times, and took pictures of her whilst doing so.

When we examined Scappatacci’s phone, we found an app, disguised to look like a calculator, and protected with a pin. Upon examination, we found 888 indecent images and videos, including images and videos of Scappatacci committing his crimes.

He was arrested and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, charged with:

• three counts of raping a child 
• two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity 
• four counts of sexual assault on a child 
• two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act 
• three counts of making indecent photographs of a child 
• three counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child 
• possessing a prohibited image of a child 
• possessing an extreme pornographic image

Scappatacci ,58, formerly of Lancaster Drive, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court. He appeared back in the dock on 4th June, where he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with a further eight years on extended license.

DC Marriam Fatima, of East Child Protection said:

“I must begin with talking about the victim. Despite her young age, she has shown an incredible sense of strength in what must have been an incredibly distressing time. I don’t doubt that it is because she had the courage to tell someone what had happened to her, that Scappatacci has been brought to justice.

“Scappatacci’s behaviour was nothing short of disgustingly paedophilic. He sexually abused a young girl for his own sordid interests. I welcome the considerable sentence handed down to him.

“Nothing will change what Scappatacci did to his victim, nothing will allow her to reclaim those years of her life. I can only hope that she can begin to rebuild her young life knowing that he has been brought to justice.

“If you are reading this and are a victim of any sexual offence. Please know that we want to help you – we will listen to what you tell us, we will investigate appropriately, and we will do all we can to get you justice.”