A MAN who sexually assaulted a 13-year-old boy on Christmas Day has been jailed for four years.

Kieran Seery, of Dowry Street, Accrington, was sentenced this morning (Tuesday) by Judge Sara Dodd at Burnley Crown Court for the horrific offence.

The incident occurred in the early hours of December 25 2019, after Seery had attended a Christmas Eve party at the victim’s home and was later told he could stay the night.

The boy was asleep when he was woken by Seery, who attacked him before leaving at around 8am. He was arrested two days later in Greater Manchester following a public appeal for help locating him.

Det Sgt Helen Mercer said: “Seery carried out a horrific and predatory attack on a young boy, and he deserves nothing less than the sentence he has received today.

“Since the incident he has shown a complete lack of remorse and has consistently denied his guilt, forcing the victim to go through the further ordeal of a trial.

"I cannot overstate the impact this incident has had on the young victim. He went to bed excited about Christmas Day and was woken in the early hours of the morning being subjected to a horrendous sexual attack.

"No child should feel unsafe in their own home, and no doubt the boy will carry the mental scars from this for a very long time.

“He must be commended for his bravery in reporting what happened to him and I hope today’s verdict gives him a sense of closure and enables him to start moving forward with his life.

“We also hope today’s verdict shows that at Lancashire Police we take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously. Anybody who has been victim of this type of crime is urged to report it to us as soon as possible, safe in the knowledge they will be treated sensitively and professionally.”

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which lasts 15 years. It follows a trial last month which found Seery guilty of sexual assault.