Former teaching assistant in Blackburn jailed for abusing schoolgirls
David Billington will serve 18 months behind bars.
A former teaching assistant in East Lancashire has been jailed for abusing girls as young as 10.
David Billington from Blackburn, was found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault on six school girls.
The abuse was carried out between 2012 and 2016 when Billington was a teaching assistant employed at St Anthony’s Primary School in Blackburn.
He also spoke with two of his young victims via social media.
The 47 year old will serve 18 months behind bars and has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
Keith Hill, from Lancashire Police, said: “We welcome the sentence today which reflects the gravity of these offences.
“These crimes displayed a gross breach of trust and were committed to satisfy David Billington’s own sexual gratification. The impact of these crimes on the victims cannot be overstated. All credit must be given to the girls who were brave enough to report the offences against them and carry it through to a full trial were they had to reiterate their allegations in court.
“Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating allegations of this nature, no matter how historic, and no matter what the role, position and status of the alleged offender, and we would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.