A father-of-four dragged a schoolgirl into a garage and raped her, a jury heard.

Burnley Crown Court was told how Gary Landon's victim's sobs were heard by nearby residents as she begged him to stop.

Residents went into the garage and the defendant, who was alleged to have attacked the girl on previous occasions, was caught "red-handed", the court heard.

Landon, of Dill Hall Lane, Accrington, had initially denied five charges of rape but changed his plea with regards to the attack in the garage after the start of his trial. The other four charges were ordered to lie on file.

He was remanded in custody until May 25 for a pre-sentence report and will be facing jail.

Hilary Manley, prosecuting, told the court police started enquiries towards the end of 2005 after the girl made sex allegations against the defendant.

She was interviewed on video tape at the police station but broke down, said she had lied and that Landon had not abused her. The interview was terminated and the complaint recorded as a malicious allegation.

The prosecutor alleged Landon was in fact sexually abusing the schoolgirl and she was not lying at all.

She said last September Landon went out drinking with friends. He grabbed the girl and took her to a garage where he raped her.

Miss Manley said the alleged victim was crying and begging Landon to stop.

The prosecutor said the girl told police Landon had raped her before but she had said it was all lies.

Miss Manley said: "She is a young girl who has been damaged by the abuse perpetrated upon her. Had he not effectively been caught red-handed it is unlikely any of this offending would have come to light at least for the foreseeable future."