A MAN has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of raping a 13-year-old child.

Wayne Scarratt, 29, of Malvern, Worcestershire, has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 19 years.

Scarratt, who had only been released from prison two weeks before the attack, initially denied he had ever met the victim.

He later claimed he thought she was around 16 and that they had consensual sex, but prosecutors and police proved there were several messages where the victim told him she was a child and he was convicted of rape, assault by penetration, assault, theft and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

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Emma Tait, head of the rape and serious sexual offences unit at CPS West Midlands, said: “Wayne Scarratt is a dangerous predator who targeted a very young and vulnerable child for his own selfish gratification.

"He claimed he thought she was around 16 years old, but an analysis of his phone revealed there were several messages where the victim told him she was a child which rebutted his claim.

"He has been rightly given a life sentence for his offences and has been taken off our streets where he can no longer pose a danger to our community.

“The victim has suffered irreparable damage and I would like to commend her for her brave testimony. I hope that with Scarratt behind bars, she can begin the healing process and go on to enjoy a rich and full life.”