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A coach with a children's football team has been jailed for raping girls aged under 13.

Aaron Clark, a former coach with Spirit of Youth Junior Football Club in Blackpool, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today.

Clark, who was also employed as a taxi driver in the resort, was jailed for 15 years with an extended licence period of one year.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and five counts of sexual assault by penetration on two girls aged under 13.

His heinous crimes shocked parents connected to the junior club, who said they had 'no idea' about Clark's sick and predatory crimes.

"No one had any idea at all"

One parent said: "We were all massively shocked when this came out. We were absolutely clueless. No one had any idea at all.

"We trusted he had a DBS check for his coaching role and for his job as a taxi driver.

"What happened would have never of crossed our minds."

Spirit of Youth Junior Football Club was approached for comment.

Blackpool Spirit of Youth Junior Football Club coach Aaron Clark jailed for 15 years for raping girls under 13