A 65-year-old man has been jailed for historic sexual abuse on a girl under the age of 14.

Neil Kinney, of Fielding Street, Rishton, appeared at Preston Crown Court last week charged with four counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14.

The court heard how the offences were all carried out on the same victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, between January 1978 and January 1979, in Clitheroe.

Kinney, who would have been 20 or 21 at the time, was jailed for 22 months.

He was also made subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order, told he must sign the sex offender’s register for the next 10 years and was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order in relation to his victim.

DC Ruth Syers who led the investigation said: "For over 40 years, the victim in this case thought no one would ever believe her.

"Throughout this investigation Kinney showed no remorse for the heinous crime he committed.

"I welcome the sentence handed down and praise the victim for the strength she has shown, facing Kinney in court.”