Two men who sexually abused a vulnerable 14-year-old girl have been jailed.
In a month-long campaign of abuse, the victim was sexually assaulted numerous times and subjected to a horrific assault when one of the men burnt her with a cigarette.
Thomas Bates (21) of Scale Hall Lane, Lancaster, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child including penetration (seven counts) and also causing a child to watch a sexual act when he showed her pornography. Bates (main picture) was jailed for eight years at Preston Crown Court on Friday.
James Palmer (27) (pictured below) of Torrisholme Square, Morecambe, was jailed for three years after admitting one count of sexual activity with a child including penetration and assault.
Both men were given sexual harm prevention orders and lifetime restraining orders.
The pair were brought to justice by Lancashire Constabulary’s West child exploitation team.
Detective constable Cheryl Greer said: “First and foremost I would like to commend the bravery of the victim for having the strength to come forward and speak about what happened to her – we would not have been able to secure justice without her courage.
“These two men clearly knew their victim was only 14 and yet they continued to sexually abuse her for their own gratification.
“I welcome the sentences given by the court and I hope that it gives others who may have suffered similar abuse the confidence to come forward and report it to police, safe in the knowledge they will be dealt with professionally and with sensitively and that we will do all we can to put offenders before the courts.”
