Man who groomed girl on Snapchat and gave her drink and drugs in bid to have sex with her jailed

A pervert who groomed an underage girl over Snapchat then took her to a fake party at an empty house so he could abuse her and pester her for sex has been jailed.
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Andrew Cook contacted the teen, who was underage, over the social media site and sent her a series of messages.

Newcastle Crown Court heard after telling victim he would take her to a party, Cook picked her up in a taxi, bought alcohol and then took her to an empty house.

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Prosecutor Jo Kidd told the court: "He had acquired a key to an empty house that was being renovated.

Andrew Cook.Andrew Cook.
Andrew Cook.

"He took her there in a taxi.

"On route he purchased alcohol for her and led her to believe they were attending a party together."

Miss Kidd said when they got to the house the teen realised it was empty and that they were alone.

The court heard Cook engaged in sexual acts with the teen, as she "tried to pull away" and "repeatedly asked her to have sexual intercourse with him".

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Miss Kidd said during an earlier meeting with the girl, Cook had "put cocaine into her mouth even though she didn't want it".

Cook, 35, of Geddes Road, Sunderland, said his victim was "lying" and denied five charges of sexual activity with a child during a trial earlier this year.

Jurors convicted him of all charges.

Judge Sarah Mallett has now sentenced Cook to seven years behind bars and said he must sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for life.

The judge told him: "You put cocaine into her mouth even though she didn't want you to, that is a serious aggravating feature."

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Judge Mallett added: "You led her to believe she was going to a party.

"You gave her alcohol and she drank some of it.

"You repeatedly asked her to have sexual intercourse with you while you were in the house but she refused."

Shaun Routledge, defending, said Cook has now admitted to probation officials that what the girl said happened to her "was true".

Mr Routledge said Cook had led a "hard working, blameless life" before the offences and has no previous convictions.

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The court heard Cook's long term relationship broke down as a result of what he did.

Mr Routledge added: "He was drinking far too heavily at the time and behaving in a way that really wasn't him."

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