BURNLEY MAN JAILED FOR ABUSING TEENAGE GIRLS AND THREATENING THEIR LIVES

Antonino Seminara, a man aged 65, has been legally convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offences against four teenage girls. The crimes took place in the areas of Padiham and Blackburn, and he was handed a prison sentence of 14 and a half years. The young victims included a girl aged only 14 at the time of his offences. Seminara told two of the victims that they ‘liked that’ during the assaults and also boasted that he had ‘done this before with somebody your age’. Throughout the proceedings, he threatened to kill one of these victims if she disclosed the abuse. After his arrest following disclosure of the crimes, he initially denied any wrongdoing during police interviews. Following a court trial at Preston Crown Court earlier in the year, Seminara was found guilty of 11 separate offences involving sexual activity with minors and sexual assault. As part of his sentencing, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. One of the victims provided a harrowing impact statement, revealing how the assault has wrecked her life, leaving her feeling damaged, ashamed, and with severe trust issues. She described ongoing mental health struggles, including depression, anxiety, and difficulties forming relationships, which led her into abusive relationships and depression. She also recounted how she kept her trauma secret for years, feeling ashamed and blaming herself, which caused her sleeplessness, nightmares, and flashbacks. The victim also shared how going to the police and telling her family devastated them. Another victim expressed the difficulty of reacting in such situations and condemned the dismissive attitude some offenders have, dismissing abuse as ‘playful’. Detective Constable Matt Bourne from Burnley CID stated that Seminara targeted vulnerable young women for his gratification and expressed hope that this sentence would serve as a warning to others. He emphasized the bravery of the victims in coming forward and giving evidence, and assured that the police would continue to pursue justice. Authorities provided resources for victims of sexual offences, including reporting online or calling emergency services if in immediate danger. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of believing victims and bringing offenders to justice, emphasizing that Lancashire’s law enforcement is committed to safeguarding the community.