A ‘DANGEROUS’ man who raped a 12-year-old boy behind a shop has been jailed for more than seven years.

Raisuddin Patel, of Buncer Lane, Blackburn, attacked the child after befriending him and another boy in Whalley Range, Preston Crown Court heard.

After asking for their help moving boxes, Patel seperated the youngster from his friend by asking him to come out the back in April this year.

Behind piles of boxes and old refrigerators, Patel subjected the youngster to an horrific ordeal which left him ‘physically injured’, ignoring the boy’s pleas to be allowed to go home to his mother.

The 21-year-old, who was born in India and was visiting the UK on a temporary passport, was also banned from contacting his victim directly or indirectly for an indefinite period and will be deported after serving his sentence.

Prosecuting Paul Brookwell told the court the boy “said he was going to scream” when Patel attacked him but was silenced by more threats.

Mr Brookwell said: “He pleaded with the defendent. He said: ‘let me go, my mum’s going to be worried’.

“The defendent physically restrained him so he could not escape. These pleas to release him did not work”.

Silenty reading a victim impact statement, Judge Jonathan Gibson said it was clear the attack had had ‘a dramatic impact’ on the boy.

Sentencing Patel to seven years and three months minus 174 days already served Judge Gibson also made a sexual offences prevention order.

Defending, Phillip Curran said that his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had been ‘extremely open’ about what had happened.

He said that his client had no previous convictions, adding: “He is sorry for what had happened. He took advantage of a young boy and accepts what he did was wrong.”

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Inspector Neil Ashton said: ”This has been an extremely traumatic and distressing ordeal for both the victim and his family with which they are still coming to terms.

“Many of our inquiries focused on the Whalley Range area of Blackburn and I am particularly grateful to the local community who had the confidence in the police to come forward at an early stage. “This allowed the police to recover crucial forensic evidence that proved vital in forcing a guilty plea from Patel. Because of this, the victim did not have to suffer the trauma of giving evidence in court.

“Patel, who was previously unknown to the police, is clearly a very dangerous and devious man. He has been in custody since his arrest and I am satisfied with the sentence handed today.”