Paedophiles Stephen Carruthers and John Bates jailed indefinitely

Two paedophiles who abused young boys at the Blackpool flat they shared have been jailed indefinitely.

Stephen Carruthers, 49, and his partner John Bates, 45, lured four 14-year-olds to their flat in Caunce Street.

Carruthers was convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a child, sexual grooming and child abduction at Preston Crown Court after a trial last year.

Bates was also convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a child and child abduction.

The two men began a relationship at HMP Manchester while they were both serving sentences for similar sex offences.

The court was told how they went on to live together in Blackpool after their release, enticing boys to their flat with money and boasts of celebrity connections.

Carruthers was ordered to serve a minimum of five-and-half years in jail before he can be considered for parole. Bates must serve at least four-and-half years.

Both men were disqualified from working with children for life and must not have any unsupervised contact with children.

Judge Christopher Cornwall said: "The simple dreadful reality in this matter in my judgment is you are incorrigible, predatory paedophiles.

"You simply cannot resist the temptation of making contact with boys with the purpose of abusing them for your own sexual gratification. The harm that you have caused to each of those boys is hard to calculate."

Det Insp Tony Baxter, from Lancashire Police, said: "I am extremely happy with the sentence passed on to these dangerous individuals.

"It sends out a strong message to anyone who commits such offences that when they are caught they will be dealt with robustly by the courts.

BBC News