UK — Accrington, England. A 74-year-old who raped two adolescent girls has been handed a custodial sentence of just 12½ years, extended three years on licence.

Patrick McCann, a man who identifies as a woman named Laura, raped the girls while aged in his 50s.

The crimes came to light on May 18 of this year. On that date, a man alerted bystanders that his life was in danger and police should be called. Mr McCann told responding officers: “I have something I need to get off my chest. I raped a child.”

Mr McCann was placed under arrest. During the police interview, he confessed to the rape of a 12-year-old. He said the incident had been playing on his mind for some time, and he wanted to come clean.

The survivor told the court that the incident still affects her. “I am worried of all men. All that has happened has affected my relationship with my partner. I get freaked out when I go out on my own.”

The crime occurred at the child’s Accrington home, prosecutor Amanda Johnson said. Mr McCann requested sex, and the 12-year-old refused, telling him she was going to sleep. Mr McCann entered the room and got into the bed. He proceeded to rape the child as she screamed that the attack was painful and she wanted him to stop.

The survivor reported the incident four years after it occurred, but Mr McCann denied the crime in police interviews. Investigators were unable to find sufficient evidence to charge him until his recent confession.

Police learned Mr McCann was involved in the repeat sexual abuse of a second child. He groomed the girl, who was also 12-years-old, with alcohol and cigarettes after meeting her at a shop, the survivor later recalled. He took her to a pub and initiated a kiss. After another day together at a pub, Mr McCann brought the adolescent girl, who was dressed in her school uniform, back to his home, where he committed an act of statutory rape. He then gifted the girl a gold ring, telling her: “I love you.” He engaged in indecent acts with the child “five or six more times” before she put a stop to it and returned the ring.

During a recent police interview, Mr McCann bragged that it was “bloody right” he had penetrated the child, calling the experience “out of this world.”

Mr McCann pleaded guilty to a count of Rape Of A Girl Under 13 and six counts of Sexual Activity With A Girl Aged 13 To 15.

Criminal barrister Michael Lavery told the court during mitigating arguments that his client reported the crimes to “wipe the slate clean” and no longer presented a danger to society. “She [McCann] brought this to the attention of the authorities. There has been no similar offending of this kind for 14 years. When she gets out, she will be over 80 years of age and won’t have committed offences for over 20 years.”

Judge Robert Altham said Mr McCann still posed a “significant ongoing danger” to the public. “Whilst the defendant has come forward and admits what she has done, she does not understand what she has done was wrong.”

Mr McCann will become eligible for parole after serving at least two thirds of his custodial sentence. He must also sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.