An man from Oswaldtwistle been jailed for 13 years after a string of child sex offences.

Darren Cook, 26, of Saxon Close, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to 43 counts of sexual assault of a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and making and possessing indecent images of children.

He was arrested after an investigation by Blackburn with Darwen’s Engage team – a specialist unit which was set up to tackle the sexual exploitation of children by targeting offenders and helping those children who have become, or are at risk of becoming, victims.

DS Mark Whelan from Eastern Divisions Public Protection Unit said: “Cook is a dangerous man who targeted and exploited on a vulnerable young girl. “This type of predatory crime will not be tolerated and we will continue to target, warn and prosecute offenders to hit home the message that this type of behaviour is not just unacceptable, it is criminal, and we will pursue those people involved and bring them to justice.”

Anyone with information or concerns about the sexual exploitation of children can contact police on 101 or the Engage team on 01254 666540.

Alternatively people can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.