Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday, 31st July 2024, at 16:20hrs
A man who met a girl at the beach then later raped her at a hotel has been sent to prison after being found guilty at an earlier hearing.
In a statement, Blackpool Police said,
“Matthew Tallentire raped the girl who was 13 while she was visiting the resort in the summer of 2020.
The girl had travelled to Blackpool with two adults, and Tallentire had 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 remanded in custody after being convicted.
Appearing for sentence at the same court last Friday (26th July), Tallentire, formerly of Blackpool but now of no fixed address, was jailed for nine years.
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, please report it by calling 101.
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