Sol Barrett 25

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A predator who raped a teenage girl after she had been assaulted has been jailed.

Sol Barrett took a girl, who had been assaulted in a separate incident, back to his own home and raped her.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said she woke up at Barrett’s address the next morning and did not know who he was.

She sustained injuries from a separate assault the previous night on June 17, 2022, which were so serious that she had to attend hospital.

However, upon finding her, Barrett, 24, from Halley Close, Crawley, took her back to his address where he committed the rape.

Six months later, the mother of another girl, who also cannot be identified for legal reasons, reported concerns that her daughter was being groomed by Barrett on social messaging app Snapchat.

Barrett had lied about his age in messages exchanged on the platform, while the victim had informed him of her age.

Appearing in Lewes Crown Court on August 7, he pleaded guilty and has been jailed for seven years and two months for rape and six months for three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child.

The sentences are consecutive and will be on licence for a total of 14 years.

Barrett will also be a registered sex offender for life and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.

Speaking after the case, investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ellen Jones said: “The victims in this case showed tremendous courage to come forward and report what had happened. They received support from specifically trained officers.

“Barrett is a predator who targeted young teenage girls, but thanks to the strength of the victims and from our thorough investigation he had no choice other than to plead guilty in the face of the evidence against him.

“This case demonstrates our determination to get justice for victims and ensure that a dangerous offender is behind bars.”