Man found guilty of raping teenager in Burnley

Lee Reilly (22), of Dover Street, Nelson, was convicted of rape and sexual assault by a jury following a two-week trial at Preston Crown Court.

Reilly approached the 17-year-old girl as she walked through Burnley town centre around 3-30am on Sunday, March 4th.

He engaged her in conversation and offered to walk with her, before leading her from the town centre towards Brownhill Avenue, Brunshaw.

There he made threats to the girl, who believed he was going to kill her, and sexually assaulted her.

Reilly then forced her behind a disused garage where he raped her.

After the attack he stayed with his victim and walked back into the town centre but when she saw members of the public the girl immediately alerted them and they called police.

Reilly walked away and was arrested soon afterwards, still in the town centre.

DC Karen Edwards, part of Operation Focus, a specialist team of detectives that provide skills and support to survivors of rape, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a truly shocking case. At no point whatsoever has Reilly shown any remorse.

“The conviction of Reilly is testament to the immense courage the young girl has shown throughout the investigation and subsequent trial.

“This was a calculated and premeditated attack on a vulnerable female, who had clearly been targeted. I consider Reilly to be an extremely dangerous individual and welcome the conviction of him for these serious offences.

“Offences of this nature will always be thoroughly and professionally investigated by Lancashire Constabulary.”

Reilly has been remanded in custody pending his sentence on Friday, August 24th.