Paedophile extradited from Australia jailed over abuse

An "abhorrent" paedophile who was extradited from Australia to stand trial for sexually abusing two young girls in Lancashire has been jailed.

Robert Crompton, 67, assaulted a five-year-old girl over a number of years, and later preyed on a 12-year-old.

He was handed over to UK authorities by officers in Australia in May for his trial at Preston Crown Court.

Crompton, of no fixed address, was found guilty after a trial of 13 sexual offences and given a 12-year prison sentence.

His crimes included five offences of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by penetration, assault by touching, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, causing a girl under 13 to watch sexual activity, and sexual assault of a female.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the girl who was five when Crompton first abused her, said it had a "huge impact on me developmentally".

She said she has "struggled to form friendships with others my own age, and typically I would seek friendship and solace from older people".

"What happened to me will remain with me for the rest of my life. He took away some of my childhood and I believe he stole my innocence."

The second victim, who was 12 when Crompton sexually assaulted her, said he had tried to "manipulate others into believing he is innocent" throughout the trial.

She said he demonstrated his "deep and pathological ability to deceive and continue to abuse others without regard to them".

Det Con Cathryn Whitworth of Lancashire Police said: "These were abhorrent offences committed by Crompton against two young victims.

"They showed great bravery by coming forward to report what Crompton had done, and then by reliving their experiences by giving evidence in court during the trial.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.