AN 'evil' pervert who sexually abused three schoolgirls has been locked up indefinitely to protect the public.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Mark Jacques, 41, carried out a campaign of abuse against the victims, raping one after he had groomed her.

Jacques, who had a topless picture of the vulnerable girl on his mobile phone, was arrested and quizzed by police last May but claimed he had done absolutely nothing wrong.

The defendant, of Rylands Street, Burnley, a convicted benefits cheat, had earlier admitted four charges of rape, five counts of sexual assault on a child, three allegations of assaulting a child by penetration, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two charges of sexual activity with a child.

Jacques must serve at least nine years, less 32 days, before the parole board can consider if he is safe to be released.

He was banned from working with children and placed on the sex offenders' register for life and was given a lifelong sexual offences prevention order, prohibiting him from having contact with or associating with children under 16.

John Broadley, prosecuting, said in April 2010, two of the girls complained about the defendant's behaviour and all three victims were then video interviewed by police.

The first girl told officers Jacques had kissed her, touched her over and under her clothing, committed sex acts and then had intercourse with her. The victim said the defendant would tell her she was special and that he loved her and wanted to get her pregnant.

Mr Broadley said the second victim would say the defendant kissed her, touched her and committed sex acts. The third victim told police Jacques had fondled her.

Kathryn Johnson, for Jacques, said he was well aware he would receive a substantial custodial sentence. The offences were committed when he was drinking and smoking cannabis to excess. They had caused anger in the community and he had attempted suicide.

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt said Jacques had subjected the girls to 'evil'.

She told Jacques: "You are a very manipulative man and you corrupted the girls for your own perverted ends.

"The effect of this sentence is it may be that you are never released."