JAMES BLACKIE: ACCRINGTON, BLACKBURN, BURNLEY PAEDOPHILE TWIN'S HORRIFIC CRIMES REVEALED

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning several years, James Blackie, a convicted paedophile from the towns of Accrington, Blackburn, and Burnley, has been involved in a pattern of heinous crimes against children, leading to multiple convictions and lengthy prison sentences.

One of the most tragic events occurred in March 2017, when Patrick Blackie, aged 32, was found dead at his home in Nelson, after he took his own life by hanging himself in the stairwell of his residence on Smith Street. The inquest revealed that his probation officer had made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact him prior to his death, raising concerns about his mental state and the ongoing struggles he faced as a registered sex offender.

Prior to his death, Patrick Blackie had a long history of sexual offenses. In March 2016, he was convicted of being an extremely dangerous paedophile who had sexually assaulted an eight-year-old boy. The court heard that Blackie had abducted the young victim from the street and attempted to carry out a sexual assault. His behavior was uncovered after police raided his prison cell, where they discovered 60 pages of disturbing child abuse fantasies. These revelations came to light while Blackie was serving a two-year sentence for breaching a sexual offences prevention order by befriending a family in East Lancashire without disclosing his background.

Blackie’s criminal record is extensive. During his time in prison, he exchanged letters with other convicted sex offenders, and the victim’s name appeared in his correspondence. The police eventually traced the young boy, who confided in his grandmother that he had been approached by a man in a red coat who had offered him money to go with him. The court was told that Blackie took the boy to a bedroom, where he attempted to remove his clothing, but the boy managed to resist and escape. Despite Blackie’s efforts to assault him, the boy’s quick thinking and the loud noise from Blackie’s house distracted him, allowing him to flee the scene.

Blackie’s criminal history also includes previous convictions for possessing and distributing child pornography, as well as breaching a sexual offences prevention order. In 2010, he was sentenced to 20 months for possessing child pornography, and in 2013, he received a two-year sentence for breaching the order by befriending families and failing to disclose his background. His twin brother, Patrick Blackie, who is currently serving time, was also convicted of similar offenses involving child abuse images in 2010.

In February 2016, James Blackie faced further charges after admitting to abducting and sexually assaulting an eight-year-old boy in Burnley. The court heard that Blackie, then living on Canterbury Street, Blackburn, was already under a sexual offences prevention order when he committed the offense. He had been placed on the Sex Offender Register in November 2010 following his conviction for making indecent images of children. Blackie’s actions included luring the young victim with promises and then taking him to his home, where he engaged in inappropriate conduct. The court was told that Blackie had also breached the prevention order by being in the company of children under 16.

Further details emerged during the trial, with the prosecutor revealing that Blackie had admitted to abducting the boy between January 2012 and January 2013 and sexually assaulting him during that period. Blackie, who was then residing without a fixed address, also acknowledged breaching the order by associating with minors. The judge warned that Blackie faced a lengthy prison sentence, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the ongoing risk he posed to the community.

Blackie’s criminal activities extended to downloading and sharing child abuse images. In May 2014, he was caught shortly after his release from prison, when police recovered hundreds of indecent images from his mobile phone. Blackie, then 29 and with no fixed address, admitted to possessing and distributing these images, which depicted children as young as four. He expressed to police that he fantasized about harming children, and his actions demonstrated a significant risk to others. His previous convictions included a 15-month sentence in January 2010 for a sex act committed in front of a boy and possession of indecent images.

Blackie’s pattern of offending was further highlighted in 2013, when he was jailed for two years and eight months for abducting two children in Burnley. He enticed the children with a puppy, sweets, and promises of play, then took them to his home, where they stayed for several hours. Although he claimed he was not sexually motivated, the court considered his actions indicative of potential sexual intent. Blackie’s history also includes multiple breaches of the sex offenders’ register and orders, as well as attempts to gain access to children through deception and manipulation.

Throughout these proceedings, Blackie’s twin brother Patrick has also been involved in similar criminal activities. Patrick was jailed in October 2013 for flouting a lifelong sexual offences prevention order, which had been imposed after he was convicted of abducting children and possessing child abuse images. Both brothers have been assessed as high risk, with their cases highlighting the ongoing danger posed by individuals with such extensive criminal histories involving children.

In summary, the Blackie brothers’ criminal careers have spanned over a decade, marked by repeated offenses, breaches of legal orders, and disturbing patterns of behavior involving children. Their cases underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring, strict enforcement of orders, and the ongoing challenge faced by authorities in protecting vulnerable young victims from predatory individuals like James and Patrick Blackie.