A paedophile has been jailed for 21 sexual offences against children, including two counts of rape.
Daniel Pritchard, 44, was sentenced today (January 8) at Preston Crown Court to 26 years behind bars with a two-year extended licence and given a sexual harm prevention order for life.
Pritchard, from Blackpool, was convicted after a three-week trial of 21 sexual offences against five children between February 2015 and September 2021.
He originally denied the offences when spoken to by police and maintained throughout the investigation and court process that he hadn’t committed any sexual offences.
The five children, who were said to be between seven and fourteen when the abuse took place, all gave evidence against Pritchard during his trial.
Pritchard, of Pinewood Avenue, Bispham, was found guilty of:
- two counts of rape of a child under 13
- 13 counts of sexual assault
- five counts of sexual activity with a child
- one count of causing a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity
He was found not guilty after trial of one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Brett Gerrity, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West’s rape and serious sexual offence unit said: “Pritchard is a sexual predator who preys on the innocence of children.
“Working closely with Lancashire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were able to build a strong case against him. The jury convicted Pritchard of 21 of the 23 offences he faced at trial.
“The offences he committed against the children were sickening. He exploited their vulnerability without any thought to the impact his abuse may have on them.
“The abuse will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the victims, but I hope that today's sentence will provide them with some sense of justice and allow them to move forward, knowing Pritchard has been punished for what he did to them.”
Det Sgt Jamie Robinson of the child protection team at Blackpool Police, said: “The children involved in what can only be described as an awful and disgusting chain of abuse, have shown such resilience and bravery throughout this investigation.
“They have remained consistent and true to themselves and should feel immensely empowered by their ability to speak out and find that strength.
“Pritchard was a controlling and manipulative man who targeted these children sensing their vulnerabilities and taking full advantage of it - abusing them at every opportunity that he had.”
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