A ‘SEXUAL predator’ has been jailed for abusing a young girl in Blackburn and Darwen in the 2000s.

Alan Ogden, of Queensway, Chorley, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison at Preston Crown Court.

Ogden, 73, was arrested in April 2017 after police received a complaint of rape.

It was reported he had abused a six-year-old girl in the Darwen, Blackburn and Chorley areas between June 2004 and August 2005.

Ogden denied the offences but following a trial in February was convicted of two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault on a child.

Andrew Woodmass, from Lancashire Police’s Operation Fervent, which investigates historical abuse cases, said: “Alan Ogden is a dangerous sexual predator and the sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes.

“He abused the victim, a vulnerable girl, to satisfy his own depraved sexual desires.

“The victim suffered in silence for many years before reporting the abuse to her family and then to police.

“I commend her bravery in supporting the investigation and subsequent trial.

“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.”