Paedophile jailed after sexually assaulting teenage girl after giving her drugs in Rawtenstall

A paedophile who sexually assaulted a teenage girl after giving her drugs in Rawtenstall, has been handed a lengthy jail sentence.

Antony Farren he was sentenced to a total of 23 years following an investigation.

The investigation found that 39-year-old Farren had given his 15-year-old victim drugs before inflicting a series of sexual offences on her.

All the offences happened in Rawtenstall.

While engaging in sexual activity with the child, Farren told her: “It feels like I’m raping you, I need to stop.”

Farren, formerly of Rawtenstall but now of no fixed address, was arrested in December 2024.

While he was on bail with conditions not to contact the victim, Farren sent her a TikTok in an attempt to intimidate her.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Farren was charged with a number of sexual offences, as well as witness intimidation.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court, Farren was found guilty of two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16, four counts of other sexual offences and one count  witness intimidation.

Farren was sentenced to 15 years immediate custody, with a further eight-year extended licence period after the judge deemed him to be a dangerous offender. He was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Sarah Andrews, from the East RASSO Team, said: “Antony Farren is a dangerous and manipulative individual who targeted and groomed his vulnerable victim for his sordid sexual interests. He knew what he was doing was wrong but continued anyway. I welcome the sentence handed down to Farren which reflects the seriousness of his offending and the very real danger he poses to female children.

“While the headlines will be about Farren and his abhorrent crimes, I want to make sure the victim in this case is not overlooked. She has shown incredible bravery in firstly coming forward and then reliving her ordeal while giving evidence, and I want to place of record my admiration for her.

“Finally, I want to praise the investigation team in this case, and in particularly DC Daniel Healey. As a result of their sensitive and professional approach, they were able to build a rapport with the victim, so she felt believed, supported and able to trust the police to deliver justice.”

If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk or call 101. In an emergency always call 999.