A predator has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for raping a vulnerable teenage boy.

Paul Evennett, 55, of Washington, took advantage of a "desperately vulnerable" teenage boy who was struggling with his sexuality. Evennett befriended the boy and his family before raping him after inviting him on a day trip to the seaside.

The court heard that Evennett committed the offenses in the Gateshead area in 2018. The victim, who was "confused" about his sexuality and had been bullied at school, was "particularly vulnerable" due to his personal circumstances.

Evennett, who denied the offenses but was found guilty following a trial, took the boy to the beach, bought him McDonald's, and then raped him at a home where they watched films. Following the incident, Evennett continued to send messages to the victim, putting him under "intense pressure."

The now-adult victim, in a statement, called Evennett a "monster" and said that he had been struggling with his life and sexuality at the time of the rape. He described how Evennett "pretended to be concerned for me and my welfare" and asked him "personal, uncomfortable questions" on the day of the rape.

The victim struggled with school and dealt with flashbacks following the rape. He said of the messages Evennett continued to send him, "I was always being reminded by the monster who attacked me that he was still there."

The statement added that the trial was the "darkest time" of the victim's life and he even contemplated suicide.

Evennett was jailed for 13 years and will be on the sex offender's register for life. A lifetime sexual harm prevention order was also imposed.