A man who raped a teenage girl has been jailed for 13 years for the "wicked and appalling attack".

Osas Amayo, 35, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday following the attack which happened in February 2021.

Police were called around 2.10am on February 2, 2021, after a 14-year-old girl was found by a member of the public close to Revolution Bar on the Promenade in Blackpool.

The girl reported she had suffered a serious sexual assault nearby.

Officers were called to the scene and following a search of the area, a man matching Amayo’s description was arrested on Talbot Road.

Following further investigation Amayo was charged with rape.

Lancashire Telegraph:

He pleaded not guilty to the offence but was found guilty following a "long and difficult trial" and was sentenced to 13 years in prison, as well as being handed a 20 year sexual harm prevention order and being made to sign the sex offenders’ register for 20 years.

Detective Constable Matt Duffy, of Blackpool Police, said: “Amayo is a dangerous offender who targeted his victim, a vulnerable teenage girl, before carrying out a wicked and appalling attack.

“His behaviour showed the actions of an opportunist sexual predator.

“He knew the victim was underage but went ahead and committed a horrific sex assault, all to satisfy his own depraved desires.

“I can’t overstate the impact his actions had on the victim, and she must be commended for showing immense bravery in reporting the offence to police and throughout the long and difficult trial.

“I hope the result of this case brings her and her family some comfort, and that they are able to start moving forward with their lives.

“I also hope it sends a message that at Lancashire Police we take all reports of sexual offences seriously.

“If anyone has been the victim of a sexual offence – recently or in the past – we would urge them to come forward and report it to us in the knowledge that we take all reports seriously and that victims are treated sensitively and professionally at all times.

“Offences can be reported to us on 101, or anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”