A PAEDOPHILE locked a 14-year-old girl in his car before raping her on the back seat.

Man Jailed for Six Years for Rape After Driving Across Country to Meet Victim

A 24-year-old man, identified as Moore, has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison for raping a young woman in the New Forest area. Moore, who was 21 at the time of the offense, used Snapchat to contact the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He then drove from his home in Station Road, Croydon, to meet the victim, who was accompanied by a friend. According to Detective Sergeant Claire Ratcliffe, the girls initially found Moore to be "kind and funny." However, the victim was left alone with Moore at some point, and he sexually assaulted her.

The girls reported the rape to the police, and Moore denied the accusations. After a seven-day trial at Southampton Crown Court, a jury unanimously convicted him on one count of rape.

During the trial, a victim impact statement was read out, detailing the devastating effects of the assault on the victim's life. The statement said: "During the time he had locked me in the back of the car I was terrified he was going to kill me." "I have to live the rest of my life knowing what he did to me. I will never escape it." The victim has suffered from sleepless nights and has cried herself to sleep.

In his defense, Len Furlong argued that Moore had no prior convictions and that the length of time it took for the case to be dealt with since 2018 should be considered a mitigating factor.

During sentencing, Judge Nicholas Rowland stated: "She repeatedly said stop and you did not do so." Moore wept as he was sentenced and will now have to register as a sex offender for life.

Detective Sergeant Claire Ratcliffe expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating: "I am absolutely delighted with the result. "I just can't commend the victim enough for the strength she has shown over the last two years. "I hope that it can be of some closure for her."