A 12-year-old boy broke down in tears as he told a jury he was raped by a man who had asked him to help look for a missing dog.

And the youngster's parents said their son had changed into a 'totally different boy' whose confidence was broken since the incident on May 14 last year in Bailey’s Field, Darwen.

The boy gave evidence via at video link at Preston Crown Court.

Craig Bennett, 45, of Stuart Close, Darwen, has pleaded not guilty to six charges, including kidnap, making threats to kill, two counts of raping a child under the age of 13, an alternative count of attempted rape.

In a taped polive interview, which was first shown to the Preston Crown Court jury, the boy told officers he had been playing out on the night of the attack and had left a friend to go to Sudellside Off Licence to buy a chocolate bar at around 7.45pm.

He saw two men in a car driving slowly along the streets as though they were looking for a dog and a third man who spoke to them from a bus stop.

The boy said he offered to help the lone man look for the dog and the man later offered him £10 to continue the search. The pair had gone in to Bailey's Field when the man pounced on the boy and subjected him to a sustained and physical sexual assault, the court heard.

During cross examination, the boy said he had made a desperate attempt to get away from Bennett but that he had been caught and a belt had been placed round his neck.

Defending, Ciaran Rankin asked why the boy had not tried to fight back or shout for help.

"I nearly got away," said the boy. "I ran to the fence but he pulled me back. That's when he strangled me. When I got the chance I ran but he got me back and tied my hand behind my back."

He added: "I felt scared. I thought I was never going to see my family again. I didn't want to die."

Mr Rankin questioned the boy's motive for helping Bennett try to find the pet.

The boy said: "I have alwas been like that, helping to find animals and dogs that have run away. He didn't mention the money until later. I was just looking for the dog. I wasn't expecting any money."

The boy's father told of the court how his son had been affected: “You would have had to have known him to know how different he is now. His confidence is blown. He doesn't do a lot of the stuff that he used to. He won't go out to play."

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