Man jailed after sexually assaulting girl, 14, multiple times in Leyland
He's been jailed for 12 years
A "dangerous and persistent sexual predator" has been jailed for 12 years after sexually abusing and raping a 14-year-old girl in Leyland.
31-year-old Lewis Westwood was found guilty of six counts of sexual activity with a child.
The court heard how in April 2023 the paedophile sexually abused a girl multiple times in a house in Leyland.
He denied any wrongdoing, saying his DNA was in the room where the rape happened because he went in there to charge his phone.
In a statement to the court, the victim wrote: “Since this has happened my emotional physical and mental health has deteriorated, and my life has been put on hold for the last three years.
"Having to talk to police officers about it and asked questions about it both in suites and at court kept it haunting me. It hasn’t just affected me, it affected my work, my social life and I can’t see a future where I will just ‘move on’ from this.
“I find myself forever doubting people’s intentions, and this has meant that no matter who I come across I push people away. The whole experience has left me feeling very lonely.”
Westwood was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to sign the Sex offenders Register for life.
DC Cora Cook, from the Preston Child Protection Team, said: “Lewis Westwood is a dangerous and persistent sexual predator who targeted a vulnerable girl for his own sordid sexual intentions.
“I welcome the sentence which reflects the seriousness of the offending and the danger Westwood poses to female children.
“Finally, and most importantly, I would like to praise the victim for her bravery and patience throughout this process.”