A BLACKBURN paedophile convicted of sexually assaulting six children over three decades has today been jailed for 24 years.

Terrence Sharples’ sentence is one of the longest given to a Lancashire sex attacker in living memory.

Sharples, 52, had been convicted after trial of a total of 28 offences of rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child.

One traumatised victim said he still finds it hard to sleep years after his ordeal.

The judge said Sharples had left victims with deep psychological problems which had had a very profound effect.

After the case, Police Constable Nick Blackledge said: “I am pleased with the sentence given to Sharples which reflects the seriousness of the offences.

“This case highlights that it is never too late to report a crime – even though the offences were committed years ago, justice has been brought.”

Sharples had played games with youngsters to get the chance to touch them. This then extended further into sexual acts.

The victims were rewarded with sweets and money and told what had taken place was a secret.

He had also used threats and a boy was made to sign a small piece of paper he believed could be used against him if he tried to tell what had happened.

Sharples, 52, most recently living in Rochdale, carried out his crimes on four boys and two girls in the Blackburn, Leyland and Blackpool areas when he was aged between 13 and 31.

Sharples had been found not guilty by the jury of five other charges.

Excerpts of victim impact statements were read to the court.

One man spoke of finding it hard to sleep, even after all the time that had since passed.

He found it difficult to deal with and felt ‘dirty and ashamed’ as a result of what happened.

He also said "I went into myself like a tortoise into a shell.”

Other victims spoke of having sleepless nights, depression and anxiety.

One had said “The effects will be with me for the rest of my life”

One of the hardest things that person had had to do was re-live at court the ‘horrible’ things that had happened, Preston Crown Court heard.

Judge Norman Wright told the defendant he had caused his victims deep psychological problems.

The judge added: “The impact of your behaviour have been very profound indeed.”

Sharples will be on the sex offenders register for life, banned from working with children and also subject to a sexual offences prevention order.

He will not be allowed to have unsupervised contact with any under 16 year olds, not be allowed to stay in any accommodation where there is anyone in that age group and will not be allowed to have anyone under sixteen stay at his accommodation.

John Woodward, defending Sharples, told the court his client still strenuously denied the offences, adding: “He is under no illusions that Your Honour will pass on him a substantial sentence."

No early parole date was set for Sharples.

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