MAN CHARGED WITH RAPING BOY, 12

Craig Bennett, also known as Craig Preece, of no fixed address, is accused of two counts of raping a child, kidnap with intent to rape and making threats to kill, Lancashire Police said.

The youngster was subjected to a brutal sexual assault after a man promised him £10 to search for his pet near Blackburn, Lancashire.

He was lured to a nearby wooded area in Sudellside, Darwen, where he was raped on Wednesday night.

A police spokesman added that Bennett would appear before Blackburn Magistrates Court.