Ex-Preston man Paul Boardman guilty of sex attacks on boys
A man has been convicted of a series of historical sexual offences against seven boys aged between 10 and 16.
Paul Boardman, 55, formerly of Bray Street, Ashton, Preston, was convicted of 42 offences, following a trial at Manchester Crown Court.
They included rape, attempted rape, buggery, indecency and indecent assault, 41 were historical offences.
He admitted perverting the course of justice and will be sentenced at the court on Thursday.
The majority of the sexual offences took place between 1990 and 2001 when Boardman was living in Preston. The other offence took place in March 2013.
'Dangerous and prolific'
Another man, Ryan Shenton, 24, of Hoghton Lane, Hoghton, was convicted of perverting the course of justice.
Two others, Marie Blythe, 31, and Natasha Hart, 21, of Tennyson Mill Court, Preston, admitted at an earlier hearing attempting to pervert the course of justice relating to attempts to influence the case.
Det Ch Insp Sue Cawley, of Lancashire Police, said: "Boardman is a dangerous and prolific offender who has repeatedly targeted young boys and subjected them to horrendous abuse, showing no regard for their age or vulnerabilities."
She said his crimes have left his victims "scarred for life", in terms of the emotional and psychological effects. She paid tribute to the victims for their bravery in giving evidence.