'He stole their childhood' - This is the 'smug' Blackpool rapist found guilty of 'heinous' child sex crimes
“Mr Cummings showed no remorse and appeared smug in proceedings, until the jury called out guilty 26 times.”
Lancashire Police have issued a statement on a Blackpool man found guilty of a series of ‘heinous’ child sex crimes.
David Cummings, 40, of Clifford Road, Blackpool, was found guilty of 26 counts of rape and child sex offences at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday, including 20 offences involving victims under the age of 16.
In a statement, Lancashire Police said that Detective Sergeant Jamie Robinson worked ‘tirelessly’ for four years on the case, and was pivotal in bringing Cummings to justice for his crimes.
“This was a disgusting case of a man who used his influence and control to commit the most heinous crimes against vulnerable children over a number of years,” DS Robinson said on behalf of Lancashire Police. “His behaviour stole their childhood and left them with real scars for life.
“However, what he did not anticipate was their strength and courage, even in the face of difficult and challenging times. They remained consistent and stood by doing what was right - both for them and to protect others.
“I am incredibly proud of their strength and determination in getting justice even when having to face the awful things Mr Cummings had done to them. Mr Cummings showed no remorse and appeared smug in proceedings, until the jury called out guilty 26 times.”
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Cummings was found guilty of the following 26 charges:
- 5 counts of raping a girl under the age of 13 years old
- 7 counts of raping a girl aged 13, 14, or 15 years old
- 1 count of attempting to rape a girl aged 13, 14, or 15 years old
- 2 counts of an offender aged 18 or over causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity with no penetration
- 1 count of an offender aged 18 or over engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 with penetration
- 5 counts of raping a woman aged 16 years or over
- 4 counts of an offender aged 18 or over engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 with no penetration
- 1 count of sexual assault of a female.
He will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday, December 11, where he could face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.