LUKE KENNEDY FROM DAREN SEXUAL PREDATOR SENTENCED IN PRESTON AFTER TWICE RAPING 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN DAREN

In a case that has shocked the community of Darwen, Luke Kennedy, a 20-year-old man with ties to the town, has been sentenced to nearly a decade behind bars for heinous crimes committed against a young girl. The offences, which involved two separate incidents of rape and additional sexual assault, took place over a span of just a few months earlier this year.

According to the court proceedings held at Preston Crown Court, all the criminal acts occurred between February and April 2016. The victim, a 12-year-old girl whose identity remains protected by law, was subjected to multiple acts of sexual violence by Kennedy, who was residing in Preston at the time but has known connections to Darwen.

The court heard detailed accounts of the assaults, which included two instances of rape. Kennedy was convicted on all counts, including the sexual assaults, and was handed a combined sentence of nine years and four months in prison. In addition to his incarceration, Kennedy will be subject to an extended period of parole supervision lasting five years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct after his release.

Judge Stuart Baker, presiding over the case, sentenced Kennedy to four years for each of the rape convictions, with the sentences to run concurrently. This means that Kennedy will serve the full nine years and four months for the rapes, with the other charges also factored into his overall sentence.

Furthermore, Kennedy was issued a restraining order that prohibits him from making any form of contact—direct or indirect—with his young victim. This legal measure aims to protect her from any further harm or intimidation.

In addition to the criminal penalties, Kennedy was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register indefinitely, requiring him to register his details with authorities for the foreseeable future. He was also added to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) list indefinitely, which restricts his employment opportunities and access to certain environments to prevent further harm.

This case underscores the severity of sexual offences committed against minors and highlights the ongoing efforts of the justice system to protect vulnerable individuals and hold offenders accountable.