A sexual predator who assaulted a woman before going on to try and rape her 12-year-old daughter has been jailed.
Steven Murphy, a registered sex offender, contacted the victim’s mother on Facebook and they met at her address in April where she was celebrating her daughter appearing in a talent show.
Murphy offered to take other guests home and then returned to the house knowing he would be alone with just the mother and daughter.
He sexually assaulted the woman but when she fell asleep due to changes in some medication he turned his attention to the young girl, going into her bedroom where she was trying to sleep, climbing into her bed and assaulting and trying to rape her. He finally left the house after she repeatedly told him to leave her alone.
Murphy, 45, of Tiller Road, Cottam, Preston had denied one charge of sexual assault on the woman and two counts of sexual assault and one of attempted rape on the daughter, but he was found guilty after a trial.
He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court where he was jailed for 11 years with an eight-year extended licence. He was classed as a dangerous offender.
Extended sentences are imposed in certain types of cases where the court has found that the offender is dangerous, and an extended licence period is required to protect the public from risk of serious harm. The judge decides how long the offender should stay in prison (the custodial term) and fixes the extended licence period up to a maximum of eight years.
Two thirds of the way through their custodial term the offender can apply for parole (if parole is refused, they can apply again after two years). If not released before, the offender will be automatically released at the end of their custodial term. In either case, following release, they will be subject to the licence where they will remain under supervision until the expiry of the extended period.
Det Sgt Sue Wilson, of Preston CID, said: “First and foremost I would like to commend the two victims for their courage in coming forward and reporting what happened to them and for their bravery throughout the judicial process. I hope this sentence will mean that they can try to move forward with their lives knowing this dangerous predator is behind bars.
“I also hope that it may give other victims of sexual abuse the confidence to come forward and speak to police in the knowledge we will investigate professionally and with sensitivity and will look to prosecute offenders where we can.”
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