Sex attacker raped young girl, 13, in hotel room after befriending her on beach of popular seaside resort
A man in his 30s befriended a 13-year-old girl on the beach of a popular seaside resort and then raped her in a hotel.
The victim had travelled to the resort with two adults in the summer of 2020, and Matthew Tallentire befriended them on the beach.
They all socialised together and went back to a hotel room where Tallentire attacked the girl.
At Preston Crown Court in January, a jury convicted Tallentire, 32, of two offences of rape and one offence of attempted rape following a trial.
He was subsequently remanded in custody. Tallentire, formerly of Blackpool but now of no fixed address, was later jailed for nine years after appearing at the same court last week.
Det Sgt Brittany Shaw of Lancashire Police’s Child Protection Team, said: “The girl showed incredible bravery in reporting to us what had happened to her in Blackpool.
“She showed bravery again when giving evidence at the trial.
“I welcome the lengthy sentence handed down by the judge to Tallentire.
“When victims of sexual offences come forward, Lancashire Police will thoroughly investigate and do everything in our power to bring the offender before the courts."
If you have been the victim of a sexual offence, or know someone who has, report it to the police by calling 101.