A MAN who raped a 12-year-old girl after he plied her with alcohol was jailed yesterday, Friday.

John Phoenix, of Brideoake Street, Leigh, lured the girl out of her home and took her to a nightclub in the town where he plied her with alcohol and kissed her.

The 30-year-old then led her back to his home and raped her.

He had been messaging the victim on social media for a number of weeks.

The girl was reported missing on Friday, September 22, 2017 and police traced her to Phoenix's address two days later. 

Phoenix admitted to committing rape and was found guilty of child abduction at a previous hearing.

He was sentenced to 14 years in prision for rape at Bolton Crown Court.

The defendant also got five years for child abduction but the sentences will run concurrently.

He has been given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and is required to be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Rachel Forsythe from GMP’s Wigan Child Sexual Exploitation team said: “Phoenix’s actions were utterly despicable. He is a predator who plied this young girl with alcohol and raped her knowing full well that she was 12-years old and he had lured her away from her family.

“What this young girl has been through at such a young age is unimaginable, and I would like to commend her incredible bravery in supporting our investigation.

“My thoughts are also with the girl’s mother, who experienced every parent's worst nightmare when she realised her 12-year-old daughter was missing, and then had the horrifying discovery of what she'd gone through at the hands of this disgraceful man.

“I want this result to send a clear message that we have a team of specialists committed to finding the people who exploit children, and make sure they are held to account for their abhorrent actions.”

A GMP spokesman added: "If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available."

Here are some ways that people can get in touch with support services:

  • Contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, whether or not you want make a police report.
  • St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via GMP or as a self-referral.
  • Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Their helpline number is 0161 273 4500.
  • Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened.Their contact number is 0161 236 2182.