Paedophile targeted two girls from when they were aged just nine and seven-years-old.

David Blackburn, a paedophile who targeted two girls from when they were just nine and seven years old, has been jailed for 19 years.

Blackburn, of Quarry Green, Northwood, Kirkby, was found guilty 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.

He was also 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 first victim, now an adult, 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. She would ask him to stop when he touched her but he would just laugh.

Blackburn abused the second girl from when she was aged seven by touching her sexually, including performing sex acts on her. He 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.

The second victim reported the rape in 1990, but later retracted her complaint when put under pressure. In a victim statement, she 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.

The judge, Recorder Ian Harris, said Blackburn was an "offender of particular concern" and jailed him for 19 years in total, with an extended year on licence.

Blackburn must also sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.