Man Found Guilty of Raping Three Girls and Sexually Abusing a Boy

Stephen Anderton, 53, was found guilty on Friday, August 4, by a jury at Burnley Crown Court of five rapes and 15 other sexual offenses against children. The abuse spanned four decades, starting in the 1980s.

The youngest victims were just four years old when Anderton began abusing them. The mother of one of the victims first reported the crime to the police in 2018, leading to the identification of further victims.

Anderton, of Bank Street, Padiham, denied the charges but was convicted after trial. He was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at the same court on September 22.

DS Alex Rawsthorn, of the Blackburn Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, stated: "Anderton was found guilty of the most depraved offenses imaginable. I would like to express my thanks to the officer in case whose tenacity and dedication has been unwavering. Most importantly, I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude and admiration for the victims who have endured an agonising wait for justice. They have shown remarkable courage throughout this case."