Man who lured 14-year-old girl into Blackburn bedroom before sexually assaulting her jailed
A 35-year-old man has been jailed after luring a 14-year-old girl into a bedroom in Blackburn before sexually assaulting her.
John McDonald, of Gibson Street, Kilmarnock, carried out the offence on April 23, 2023.
Preston Crown Court heard that after the assault, the girl immediately went downstairs to wake her sleeping father and tell him what had happened.
Police were contacted and McDonald was arrested shortly afterwards.
Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, he was charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child.
He denied the offence but was unanimously found guilty by a jury earlier this month.
McDonald returned to Preston Crown Court on Wednesday where he was jailed for four years.
He was also made subject to a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
In a powerful victim impact statement read to the court, the girl said the assault had left her living with “fear, anxiety, and a loss of trust ”, adding that it had affected every part of her daily life.
“Simple things that once felt safe now feel threatening,” she said.
“This crime has taken away my sense of security and dignity. It has left me with memories I cannot erase and burdens I did not choose.
“I have had to rebuild myself piece by piece, and that process is ongoing.”
DC Matt Gallagher, of Lancashire Police, said McDonald had “lured his child victim to his bedroom with the sordid intent of sexually assaulting her” and then lied repeatedly in an attempt to avoid responsibility.
“He knew how young she was but simply didn’t care,” he said.
“He then set about lying to cover his tracks. He lied to the victim’s father, he lied to the police and he lied to the jury.
“Presented with the victim’s brave testimony and DNA evidence, the jury rightly saw through McDonald’s lies.
“I am pleased he has now he has been sent to prison for what he did.”