A MAN who raped and molested three young girls in East Lancashire was today starting a 12-year jail term for what a judge called offences "of the gravest nature."

One of the girls was just seven years old.

Graham Cougill threatened the youngsters not to tell anyone and also made bribes with money, a court heard.

Cougill, 24, of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty to five charges of rape, six of indecent assault and two further sexual offences.

His offending took place at several locations in the Blackburn and Accrington areas over a two-and-a-half year period.

Mr Mark Lamberty, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said one of the girls told police the defendant had raped her and also forced her to perform sexual acts, giving her money.

After this, the other two complainants came forward to police.

One of those said Cougill's behaviour towards her had included him showing her pornographic films.

All three girls were raped by him.

The mother of one of the victims said after the case: "In my eyes the sentence is not long enough.

"He should have got 12 years for each rape. They have got to live with this for the rest of their lives.

"It is over with now. It is out of our lives and we want to move on."

The father of one of the victims added: "I think he should have got more.

"If I could get my hands on him I would kill him.

"I will never move on from this. It will always be at the back of my mind."

Defence barrister Mr Kevin Talbot said Cougill knew that the offences were extremely serious and a substantial prison term was inevitable.

His guilty pleas had avoided any of the girls having to relive what must have been very harrowing events at court.

Mr Talbot said: "I am asked to convey to the court the defendant's wholehearted expressions of remorse. It does appear to be highly genuine.

"The defendant accepts that his behaviour could well, and probably has, caused damage to each of the girls.

"He accepts that he committed some terrible offences. He has had the courage to admit his culpability and go way beyond that."

Detective Inspector Neil Hunter, speaking after the case, said: "The length of this sentence clearly reflects the seriousness of these assaults and the effect that they had on the victims.

"I only hope they can take some shred of comfort from this and feel that, in some way, justice has been done and they can re-build their lives."

Judge Peter Smith told the defendant he had had regard to his guilty pleas and expression of remorse to reduce what would otherwise have been a much longer jail term.

Twelve years was imposed for the rapes, with smaller concurrent periods for the other offences.

The prison sentence carries five years extended licence. The judge also barred Cougill from working with children and made a sexual offences prevention order.