A BLACKBURN man has been warned he faces a lengthy jail sentence after admitting a string of sex offences.

Leslie Bennett, 64, of Ottershaw Gardens, Pleckgate, pleaded guilty to a total of 16 offences against a total of four girls when he appeared at Preston Crown Court.

Bennett admitted charges of rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, sexual activity with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and also indecency with a child.

His not guilty pleas to a number of other charges were accepted by the Crown at the hearing, and the case was adjourned for sentencing on July 10.

Judge Pamela Badley told him: “This clearly means you have to be sentenced for serious sexual offending in relation to four complainants. In order to look at all of the circumstances the court is ordering a pre-sentence report and your solicitors are going to instruct a psychiatrist to interview you and provide a report, which will be presented to the sentencing judge.

“You are looking at a very lengthy sentence of custody.”

DC Jane Lawrenson, who led the investigation, said: “I am pleased with the result and hope that it will bring some closure for the victims.

"The victims have shown immense bravery in coming forward and disclosing the abuse, which has spanned nearly a 30-year period.”