Fury at paedophile vehicle rally event

In bizarre scenes, supporters of Bob Danson, who was convicted of grooming his 12-year-old sister-in-law after a five week trial, flocked to the site of an annual farming show to raise funds.

Hayes-Danson, 47, was jailed for 10 years at Preston Crown Court, where jurors heard how he abused his wife’s sister, Kirsty Clark, when she was aged between 12 and 15.

Volunteers erected gazebos to serve hotpot to guests in support of Hayes-Danson, while others took to their tractors and classic cars to take part in a 27 mile trip,

The victim’s horrified family previously told the Evening Post how some villagers in Woodplumpton, near Preston, had turned against them and made their lives a misery because they did not believe the former “pillar of the community” had committed the offences - despite the conviction.

The rally, to raise funds for his appeal, came under fire last week after it emerged some attendees were not being told what the £10 event was in aid of until they arrived.

Kirsty Clark, now 34, who bravely waived her anonymity to tell people about her ordeal, said: “ If it wasn’t so distressing it would be laughable. Are these people for real?

“Other people in the village have shown me pictures of it, of people queuing up for butties, and even what looks like a ‘guess the sweeties in the jar’ competition.

“I’m appalled, but it is a comfort to know that so many other people in the village are appalled by it too, and have been kind enough to contact me with messages of support when they read Saturday’s Evening Post.

“We have been contacted by my husband’s friend who’d attended, handed over £10, had something to eat and gone home, not realising what it was for. He is horrified.”