A man has been given a prison sentence of more than 20 years for raping and sexually assaulting a girl.
Mark Williams, 45, (pictured) committed the offences in Preston when the girl was in her early teens.
The victim disclosed to work colleagues what had been happening to her, and a colleague reported it to the police.
Lancashire Police’s Child Protection team launched an investigation and Williams was arrested.
He claimed that he had consensual sex with the girl when she was 16.
When Williams was arrested, thousands of indecent images - at least 2,500 of which were of the highest category of seriousness - were found on his phone.
Williams was not in the dock at Preston Crown Court to hear the sentence imposed on him today (28th November), with him refusing to appear on a live link from prison where he was on remand.
In his absence, he was given a 20-year sentence for the rape offences, comprising 18 years in prison and an extended two-year licence period.
For the indecent images’ charges, a consecutive one-year sentence was imposed, taking the overall sentence and extended licence period to 21 years.
The judge deemed him a dangerous offender and Williams will have to serve two thirds of the sentence before being eligible to apply for parole.
A sexual harm prevention order was imposed on Williams and a restraining order put in place to protect the victim.
Williams, of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of rape, causing a female to engage in sexual activity, assault by touching, assault by penetration, and possession of indecent images.
However, he had initially denied the charges and a trial commenced, Williams only changing his plea to guilty after the victim had given her evidence to the court.
Det Sgt Aria Mahoney of the Child Protection team, said: “Williams committed disgusting sexual offences against a young girl, and I welcome the lengthy prison sentence imposed on him.
“His offending was abhorrent, and Williams’ manipulative behaviour continued during the court process when he ran a trial before changing his plea – but only once the victim and another witness had given evidence.
“I urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual crime to report it to police. We will thoroughly investigate the offences, support you and strive to bring offenders to justice.”
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