Predator who raped 12-year-old girl he met on Snapchat jailed

Cameron Kelsey befriended the vulnerable schoolgirl over the social media site then had sex with her at his home, twice.

A judge at Newcastle Crown Court today praised the girl for her bravery in speaking out and said she should be proud that she has protected others.

Kelsey, of Guildford Street, Sunderland, who has a previous conviction for possession and distribution of abuse images, denied two charges of rape of a child under 13 but was convicted by a jury.

The now married 23-year-old claimed he had met the girl in a nightclub and she "repeatedly requested" they have sex but he refused because he "didn't do one-night stands".

He has now been locked up for nine years with a four year extended licence.

Judge Robert Spragg said Kelsey poses a "high risk of serious offending, high risk of serious harm to children and a high risk of serious harm to the public".

The judge added: "These are extremely serious offences, committed against a young and vulnerable girl.

"She deserves significant praise for her courage in bringing you to justice and in doing so she has protected others so she should be very proud of herself."

In an impact statement the victim said: "When this happened I had only just turned 12, I didn't understand what was happening really, I didn't know what it all meant.

"I feel disgusted with myself for letting it happen to me, even though I know it wasn't my fault.

"I thought he was just being friendly."

She said at the time she thought "rape was just a word" and didn't fully understand what it meant.

The youngster said when she met Kelsey it was the first time she had taken cannabis and now that she is a little more mature she realises "how serious it all was".

The court heard Kelsey has a learning disability, ADHD, a troubled background and was 19 at the time of the offences.

He now has to register as a sex offender for life and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.