Pensioner, 79, jailed for a string of historical sex offences against youngsters throughout the north west

Graham Fisher, of Saville Road, South Shore, was sentenced to 17 years in prison at Preston Crown Court. Fisher had been convicted earlier this month of offences including rape, indecent assault and attempted rape between the 1960s and 1980s. In January 2017 police were contacted by two women reporting they had been abused by Fisher as teenagers in Blackpool more than 25 years ago. Following further investigation, another female victim was identified.

She reported Fisher had abused her between the ages of four and 10.The offences, including attempted rape and indecent assault, took place during the 1960s in Rochdale - with further abuse in Blackpool during the 1970s. Fisher was arrested in May 2017 and denied the offences, claiming the victims were colluding against him. He was summoned to appear at court but pleaded not guilty. Following a week-long trial he was found guilty of 11 counts of indecent assault, one count of rape and one count of attempted rape. As well as being sentenced to 17 years imprisonment, he has been put on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Det Con Jenny Cobham, of Lancashire Police, said: “Graham Fisher is a sexual predator who targeted his victims, exploiting their vulnerabilities for his own depraved ends. “His sex assaults against the three complainants left them devastated. “His denial of the offences, as well as the subsequent accusation they were working together against him, prolonged their wait for justice. I must thank them for their bravery in reporting the offences and facing their abuser through the court process. “This investigation highlights our commitment to preventing and detecting offences of rape and serious sexual assault. We want victims to feel confident that they will be treated with compassion and that we will do everything possible to trace those responsible and take action against them. “I’d like to offer reassurance that any reports of sexual offences, new or old, will be dealt with sensitively, thoroughly and professionally, with the interests of the victims and their families being our priority.”