A paedophile who sexually abused two girls laughed and threatened them when they begged him to stop.
David Blackburn, 56, preyed on the children from when they were aged just nine and seven-years-old. He was a teenage boy himself when he started molesting them.
But he continued as an adult, even after he got married and had children of his own. Jailing him for 19 years, a judge today told the pervert he had "grotesquely abused" situations "to use both girls as your sexual playthings".
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One of the victims was raped by Blackburn, of Quarry Green, Northwood, Kirkby, more than 30 years ago. She burst into tears and clenched her fists when the sentence was passed, while supporters celebrated and hugged her.
Blackburn had denied any wrongdoing, but was found guilty after a harrowing trial at Liverpool Crown Court. He was convicted of five counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child in relation to his first victim, when she was aged between nine and 13.
The now adult woman said Blackburn touched her sexually, performed a sex act on her, exposed himself and asked her to touch him, and showed her sexual pictures in a book. Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, said: "She would ask him to stop when he touched her but he would just laugh."
Ms Snowdon said the first victim felt "embarrassed" at the idea of her victim statement being referred to in public and it was not read out in court. Blackburn was convicted of 15 counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, and one count of rape, in respect of his second victim.
The prosecutor said Blackburn abused that girl from when she was aged seven by touching her sexually, including performing sex acts on her. Blackburn made her perform a sex act on him when she was 12, and once lay on top of her, only to be disturbed and flee, before he raped her when she was 14.
Ms Snowdon said the girl reported that rape in 1990, but later retracted her complaint when put under pressure. In a victim statement, the second woman said she takes antidepressant medication and medication for anxiety.
The prosecutor said she outlined how "the abuse is on her mind all the time" and led to suicidal thoughts. The woman has continuing nightmares and only now, after the trial ended, has been able to take up the offer of counselling.
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The judge, Recorder Ian Harris, said he had read a pre-sentence report provided by the Probation Service. He said: "It's as one would expect given the denials in the trial. He doesn't express any remorse and maintains his innocence, and the author of the report assesses him as being a high risk of further sexual contact offences."
Lee Bonner, defending, said Blackburn suffered from depression "in part caused by his divorce", was on antidepressants and had been referred to a "memory clinic". He said his client had no previous convictions and at his age, prison may "have a far greater impact upon him than may otherwise have been the case".
Mr Bonner said Blackburn previously made a serious attempt on his life, which left him in a coma, and his memory issues were linked to cognitive impairment. He said he was "perhaps not a sophisticated man", who didn't complete his education, had difficulties reading and writing, and was "unable to sustain long term employment".
Mr Bonner said the last offences were 30 years ago. He added: "The defendant that the court will sentence today is, it would appear, a very different defendant to that young man of so many years ago."
Recorder Harris said Blackburn initially satisfied his "predatory lust" with the first girl, then abused the second child. The judge said: "This paedophile offending continued after you were married and had your own children.
"Both victims said how you threatened them and that the abuse had hurt them. The second girl said she would beg you to stop what you were doing."
Referring to the second girl, Recorder Harris said: "She would say she didn't want to engage in sexual activity with you, but you would tell her not to tell anyone or you would hurt her." The judge said that girl was "forced" to retract the complaint she made about the rape in 1990.
Recorder Harris told Blackburn: "Both of your victims have suffered and continue to suffer to this day. You simply ruined the innocence of these two children."
Recorder Harris said he was sure Blackburn had known that what he was doing was "wrong". The judge said Blackburn was an "offender of particular concern" and jailed him for 19 years in total, with an extended year on licence.
The effect of a combination of different types of sentences in this case means Blackburn must serve around 11 and a half years in jail before he can apply for parole. Blackburn must also sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Merseyside Police said it did not take a mugshot of Blackburn because he attended a voluntary interview. The ECHO does not have a photo of him.
Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers. Or you can pass information to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Support for victims is also available through the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063 or Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801. In an emergency, always call 999.
Children concerned about abuse can contact Childline 24/7 on 0800 1111. Adults concerned about the wellbeing of children can phone the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000.
Anyone concerned about their own behaviour, or that of a family member, can contact stopitnow.org.uk and get-help.stopitnow.org.uk
