Blackpool man Lewis Wenham jailed for raping girl of 12
A Blackpool man who raped a 12-year-old girl has been jailed for five and a half years.
Lewis Wenham, 23, formerly of Shaw Road, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to two counts of rape.
He also admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child. The offences occurred in July 2010.
His arrest followed an investigation by Lancashire Police and Blackpool Council's Awaken team, which tackles exploitation of vulnerable children.
Det Con Dave Higham said: "I am pleased that the victim was spared the trauma of having to go through the rigours of a trial as a result of the guilty plea and hope that she can now put this behind her and move on with her life.
"I am pleased with the sentence given which reflects the serious nature of the offences committed by Wenham.
"I hope this sends a clear message that anyone committing such offences will be dealt with severely."
Wenham has also been put on the sex offenders register for life and was given an eight-year sex offenders' prevention order, prohibiting him from having contact with children under 16.