A 69-YEAR-old man has been jailed for 20 years after admitting to raping and inciting children under the age of 13 to engage in sexual acts.

Stephen Carr, of no fixed address, appeared before a judge at Preston Crown Court today where he was given the sentence in relation to crimes against two children which happened over several years in Longridge Kirkham and Wesham.

Carr was arrested in October and when initially questioned by detectives, he denied the charges and maintained his denial up to and beyond the start of his crown court trial.

Having protested his innocence, witnesses were called to court and fully expected to give evidence and it was only after the prosecution was opened and evidence began to be heard that Carr opted to change his plea to guilty.

The court accepted guilty pleas to a number of charges including counts of rape and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual acts.

Det Con Mike Ellis said: “The actions to which the defendant pleaded guilty display a predilection for children and the manner in which he has committed them highlights very concerning predatory behaviours.

“The victims whom he chose to prey upon were at their most vulnerable by virtue of their very young ages and the impact upon their lives is unquantifiable – they are still only children.

“Despite the horrific nature of the offences, we must thank each child and their families for the evidence they provided which helped secure Carr’s conviction. They have shown a strength and fortitude beyond their years when laying bare matters of such an intimate and harrowing nature.

“The sentence reflects the impacts of the offences upon the victims and demonstrates the gravity which courts attribute to cases of this nature.

“I would encourage any victims who have suffered abuse of this nature to contact police, cases are handled sensitively with the wishes of the victim being of paramount importance.”