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A man who raped a vulnerable young girl has been jailed following an investigation by specialist safeguarding officers in Leeds.
Calum Stephenson, aged 20, targeted the victim, who was under 13, in June last year.
Detectives from Leeds District Safeguarding Unit began an investigation after the girl’s mother contacted police to report the incidents.
Stephenson was arrested and initially denied the offences but subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a girl under 13 and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Today, he was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to eight years in prison with a one-year extended licence.
He was also given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Detective Inspector Carl Morrison, of Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Stephenson preyed on this vulnerable young girl to sexually exploit her, and his depraved actions have understandably had a lasting traumatic impact on the victim.
“This was a complex and challenging investigation where painstaking work by the officer in the case, DC Rall, was able to secure the vital DNA and CCTV evidence that ultimately led to Stephenson’s guilty pleas and conviction for these offences.
“Despite her young age and the trauma she was put through, the victim has showed real bravery in coming forward initially and throughout the investigation.
“We hope that seeing Stephenson brought to justice will provide some level of reassurance to her and her family as they continue to move on with their lives.
“We also hope that the successful outcome of this case will give other victims of similar offences the confidence to come forward knowing they will be listened to and supported.”