Man Jailed for Sexually Assaulting Girls and Breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order

A Blackpool man, Thomas Thompson (55), has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for sexually assaulting two girls and repeatedly breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Blackpool police discovered in October 2022 that Thompson was working casually as a security officer and steward in a resort. As a registered sex offender, Thompson was obligated to inform the authorities about his employment, but he failed to do so.

Investigations revealed that Thompson had lied to the police on multiple occasions, claiming he was not employed and denying an intimate relationship, both of which were untrue.

During the investigation, officers spoke with teenage girls who Thompson had invited to his home after initially presenting himself as a helpful samaritan. When police began their investigation, Thompson fled Blackpool and went into hiding in West Yorkshire. He was arrested in October 2022 and remanded in custody.

Thompson, of Ashton Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to two counts of sexual assault against girls under the age of 18 and five breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Det Con Jason Wainwright of Blackpool Police stated, "Thompson had only been in the community since 2019. Over a period of time, he lied to the police and breached the order that was in place. I would like to commend the bravery of the young girls in this investigation. It is important that vulnerable victims are aware of the support which the police and court system provide, including regular contact from the officer in the case throughout the investigation to when sentence is passed."