Blackpool schoolgirl who was abused says: "I feel he's taken part of my childhood away"

The youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, bravely confided in an adult about the abuse, leading to Paul Lucas, from Blackpool, being arrested.

Peter Barr, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court his victim, was aged just 11 when Lucas began his sickening behaviour at his home address.

The first assault involved him stroking her leg while she was watching television, but his behaviour progressed over five months to kissing and touching her and ended with him attempting to rape her in his bedroom.

He added: " She was upset she would not be believed."

In an interview after the matter was reported to the police, Lucas denied the offences.

The 49-year-old, of no fixed abode, later admitted attempted rape of a child and five counts of sexual assault.

Defending Virginia Hayton said Lucas " struggled to vocalise his feelings and thoughts" and lived a solitary lifestyle, playing games on his phone and watching television.

In a harrowing victim impact statement, the victim said the trauma had affected her behaviour at school and her friendships.

Imposing a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, Judge Simon Newell said: " You took advantage of her, you abused her.

"The abuse went over a period of five months, and it gradually progressed from kissing her through to the last count, attempting to rape her.

"It took place in your own house when your own children were present in the house although not present when the abuse took place.

"She still has all her formative years to go and all her adult life, knowing and trying to live with the fact this happened to her as a child.

"Experience has shown despite the best endeavours of independent agencies, family and otherwise, this abuse, when children are children, often has very long standing psychological and emotional effects."