A PART-TIME helper for disabled and homeless adults has today been jailed for rape.

Simon Theaker, 44, of Windsor Road, Great Harwood, was given a total of 10 years imprisonment at Preston Crown Court for seven historic sex offences including rape, indecent assault and gross indecency on a teenage girl around a decade ago.

Theaker was found guilty after a trial last month.

At sentencing he was told he would be placed on extended licence on his eventual release and was given a lifetime Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Following the sentencing, DI Jonathan Holmes from Preston's Public Protection Unit said: “This was a complex case of historic sexual abuse where Theaker had groomed a girl over an 18-month period, despite denying any contact or any kind of relationship with the victim.

“The girl in this case has shown immense bravery in coming forward and the sentence handed down by the judge is a credit to her evidence.

"I hope cases like this give hope to victims who believe that they will not be listened to and that they will encourage them to come forward and make a complaint.

"We have a team full of officers dedicated to investigating these types of offences and this result shows the determination of Lancashire Constabulary to protect young vulnerable children from this type of crime and bring to justice those who are responsible.”

Prior to his arrest Theaker had two part-time jobs working with vulnerable adults.

In one role he worked with the homeless and in the other with disabled adults.

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