Child abusers who burned girl with cigarette jailed

Two men who sexually abused a vulnerable 14-year-old girl in a "horrific assault" where she was burned with a cigarette have been jailed.

The teenager was repeatedly sexually assaulted over a month-long period by Thomas Bates and James Palmer in the Lancaster and Morecambe area in 2024, Lancashire Police said.

Bates, 21, of Scale Hall Lane, Lancaster, was jailed for eight years at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to eight counts of sexual offences against a child.

Palmer, 26, of Torrisholme Square in Morecambe, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child and assault causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for three years.

Both men were also handed sexual harm prevention orders and lifetime restraining orders.

"These two men clearly knew their victim was only 14 and yet they continued to sexually abuse her for their own gratification," Det Con Cheryl Greer of Lancashire Police said.

She said: "I would like to commend the bravery of the victim for having the strength to come forward and speak about what happened to her."

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