Rapist jailed for 'deplorable' sex assaults

Gareth Walton was found guilty of 19 offences including rape

A man has been jailed for "deplorable" sex assaults against two young women.

Gareth Walton was found guilty of 19 offences including rape, following a trial in July at Preston Crown Court.

The 44-year-old, of Blackpool, was sentenced to 28 years.

Lancashire Police launched an investigation after the offences were reported in January this year.

'Courage and bravery'

Walton was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Det Sgt Cherie Hall said: “Walton committed these deplorable offences against two vulnerable victims.

“Both of them showed great courage and bravery to report these offences and then to give evidence at the trial.

“I welcome the long prison sentence passed on Walton and it shows how seriously the judge viewed the offences committed."