Blackpool teenager charged with nine separate sex offences against both boys and girls in the resort

A 17-year-old from Blackpool has been charged with committing a series of degrading sex attacks against both boys and girls in the resort. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of nine counts of sex offences.

Preston Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court on March 21, was told the teenager is accused of targeting girls and boys aged between 12 and 15. The court heard upsetting details of the alleged offences, including a vape being used in one sex attack on a 15-year-old girl.

What did the court hear about the charges against the Blackpool teenager?

Magistrates were also told the teenager is accused of plying his alleged victims with alcohol and drugs. He is also accused of sexual touching against a 12-year-old girl and a boy aged 15, as well as being charged with possession of cannabis.

The teenager denied all the offences. JPs remanded him in custody due to the seriousness of the charges. He must appear again at Preston Magistrates' Court on April 18.

Why do people appear at Magistrates Court instead of Crown Court?

The vast majority of offences are dealt with at magistrates court, with only the most serious offences, such murder and rape, being heard at Crown Court in front of a judge. Magistrates and district judges deal most others, including minor offences such as motoring offences, minor criminal damage and common assault not causing significant injury.

They will also deal with more serious offences such a burglary and drug offences but will then pass the case to a higher court should they feel they do not have sufficient sentencing powers. Magistrates will also pass the serious – or indictable – offences such as murder, rape, other serious sexual offences, kidnapping and serious fraud, to the Crown Court, where judges have much greater sentencing powers and cases are heard before a jury.