A ‘closet sexual offender’ who abused two children and attempted to rape one of them has been locked up for 12 years.

Darren Hollis, of Chestnut Grove, Accrington, was found guilty after a trial at Burnley Crown Court of attempted sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and attempted rape.

The court heard how Hollis attempted to rape one of his victims, performed sexual acts and got the victim to perform sexual acts on him.

He also ‘touched the bottom’ of the other victim before sexually assaulting the child, the court heard.

Hollis, 40, was jailed for 12 years and given a sexual harm prevention order and made subject to police notification requirements for life.

The jury heard how Hollis had denied all of the offences.

Geoff Whelan, prosecuting, previously told the jury that when one of the victims was interviewed by police and asked why they did not tell anyone what was going on, the child said ‘I dunno, I should have, but I’m a kid’.

The police were also told by the victim that they ‘should have done’ but ‘wanted to keep it quiet because it was horrible’.

Peter Cadwallader, defending, told the sentencing hearing: “The defendant pleaded not guilty to the matters and was convicted by the jury. Therefore the matters I can bring to your honour’s attention are limited.

“He has never been to prison before and he’s going to be facing a very lengthy sentence. He has a family who are standing by him.”

Judge Andrew Woolman said the attempted rape offences was ‘the most serious’ and ‘was as close to actual rape as you could possibly get.’

He told Hollis that in his view the defendant was a ‘closet sexual offender’ and the victims had ‘tried to make excuses and get away’.

Sentencing, he said: “I have to consider if you are a significant risk of causing serious harm. In one sense you are because of what you have done.

“Although you are dangerous in one sense, the danger can be dealt with by the appropriate agencies and a sexual harm prevention order.”