An Oswaldtwistle man who raped women and children has been jailed for more than 20 years.

Peter Barnes, 57, was charged with 44 sexual offences, some as recently as 2023 but others going back to the late 1990s.

Barnes' youngest victim was aged between nine and 11 when he raped and sexually assaulted her.

He pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault. Following a trial, he was convicted of:

  • 12 counts of indecency with a child
  • Six counts of indecent assault
  • Four counts of rape
  • Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
  • Eight counts of sexual activity with a child
  • Two counts of assault by penetration
  • Five counts of sexual assault
  • Three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
  • One count of attempted rape

Barnes initially denied all of the offences but pleaded guilty to the one count of indecent assault in July 2023.

He was found guilty of the remaining 43 sexual offences following a trial in June.

In October 2022, one woman reported to the police that Barnes had sexually abused her as a child.

During the subsequent investigation and prosecution, further women came forward to speak up about the sexual abuse they had suffered at his hands.

Alex Mann, senior crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Barnes is a sexual predator who targeted and groomed children as young as nine.

“He showed no remorse and in failing to take responsibility for his actions, he forced his victims to relive their ordeal at a trial, which further compounded the severe trauma his actions had caused.

“Thanks to the women who supported the prosecution, together with our colleagues at Lancashire Police, we were able to build a strong case which proved Barnes’s predatory, manipulative sexual offending against the five children and two women.

“I can only hope that now Barnes has been jailed, the women will be able to move forward with their lives.“

Barnes, of Central Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, was sentenced to 24 years in prison with a six-year extended licence period.

He was also given a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Det Con Hazel Richardson, from Lancashire Police’s East Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team, said: “I welcome the lengthy sentence imposed on Barnes and I hope it provides a sense of justice for his victims.

“His offending was reprehensible and caused his victims so much trauma.

“The victims showed great bravery in coming forward and then reliving their horrific ordeals when they gave evidence.”

Following his conviction last week, Det Con Richardson said: “Barnes is a predatory individual who deliberately prayed on vulnerable children and adults for his own perverted sexual interests.

“These victims have suffered significant life-changing trauma after what Barnes did to them, which has affected their physical and mental wellbeing into adult life.

“They have shown incredible bravery in firstly coming forward and then reliving their ordeals by giving evidence in court.

"Rightly, the jury saw through Barnes’s web of lies and have made him accountable for his abhorrent behaviour.

“I hope the outcome of this case will encourage other victims to come forward, knowing they will be believed, listened to, and that we will do everything in our power to put the perpetrator before the courts.”

If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via or call 101.