Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Friday 2nd May 2025 at 11:50hrs
A 34-year-old man from Rochdale has been jailed after being found guilty of targeting two schoolgirls in Blackpool in May 2023.
Cash McLaughlin, of Park Way, Rochdale, was sentenced yesterday at The Sessions House, Preston, following a trial.
The court heard that on Thursday, May 25th, 2023, police received a 999 call from a 15-year-old girl who was walking to school along Daggers Hall Lane. She reported being approached by McLaughlin in a van, who asked for her phone number and to borrow a lighter before making sexualised comments. Out of fear, the girl gave him her number, after which he began to call her.
Later that morning, a Blackpool school reported that a 14-year-old student had been similarly approached while walking home after feeling unwell. The second victim noticed McLaughlin’s van driving behind her on Blackpool Old Road. He then shouted “get in, get in” at her. She refused and ran back towards her school.
McLaughlin reversed, turned his van around, and drove towards her.
Thankfully, neither girl was physically harmed during these incidents.
Following an investigation, McLaughlin was identified as the driver and subsequently arrested. He was charged with two counts of attempting to take a child and one count of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Following the trial, McLaughlin was unanimously found guilty on all three counts. In addition to the jail sentence, he was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register.
Victim Personal Statements read in court highlighted the profound impact of McLaughlin’s actions. The first victim stated, “When walking on my own, I feel a sense of fear; I feel uneasy and unsafe when I am walking alone. I am not the bubbly, happy person I was before. I don’t really go out anymore.”
A relative of the second victim said, “She is scared and will not go out on her own. She gets angry but doesn’t know why. She feels like she has to put up a guard with everyone.”
Lancashire Police emphasized the predatory nature of McLaughlin’s actions. They stated, “McLaughlin preyed on two vulnerable girls as they made their way to or from school – a journey that every child should feel safe to do. He followed them, made them feel uncomfortable and scared with his words. He made perverted comments towards them.”
The police are urging anyone who may have been a victim of any sexual offence to come forward, assuring them that they will be listened to and that every effort will be made to bring offenders to justice. Reports can be made by calling 101 or via the online portal at https://orlo.uk/E18ZF.
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