How internet predator tricked and then raped two girls, 14 and 15

Eugene Molloy, from Filey, gained the girls' trust posing as a teenager, before pretending to be the fictitious boy's father, threatening to kill his "son" if they did not have sex with him.

Both victims, from Lancashire, complied in the misguided belief they were protecting "Deano", who they thought was their boyfriend, Preston Crown Court heard.

Molloy, an ex-serviceman, used the photograph of a teenage boy who he pretended was "Deano" on a social networking website.

Sentencing Molloy, 48, to a minimum of eight years in jail after he pleaded guilty to seven charges of rape, Judge Edward Slinger said: "This was clear plotting, grooming and manipulation of these young girls by a devious and cunning man."

Nick Kennedy, prosecuting, said Molloy targeted the girls – who were aged 14 and 15 at the time – through a website called Luna Storm.

Molloy, of Doran Close, met his first victim in person on Valentine's Day 2007 in the guise of Deano's father.

"This was all part of a very calculated grooming process for the ultimate purpose of his own sexual gratification of these girls," the prosecutor said.

"Both girls were told by 'Deano' that he was being threatened and assaulted by his father.

"Then in further phone calls the defendant posed as Deano's father and said he was going to kill or seriously injure him."

The first victim was told she had to meet up with Molloy and have sex with him.

Mr Kennedy said: "He took indecent photographs of her and effectively blackmailed her and said he would show them to her parents if she did not do what he wanted."

She was raped on 15 occasions .

Molloy was arrested in September 2008 after she eventually told her parents, who informed the police.

He was released on bail pending further inquiries but just seven days later met his second victim who he raped.

Molloy took her to a hotel in Shipley, West Yorkshire, where he sexually abused her over a period of up to four days.

When the girl returned home she was contacted by police and Molloy was arrested and charged with seven counts of rape.

Molloy can only be released on licence by the Parole Board if he is no longer considered a danger to the public.