Teenager who sexually groomed 13-year-old on Facebook is spared jail (From The Northern Echo)

Middlesbrough teenager who sexually groomed 13-year-old on Facebook is spared jail

5:00pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News By Stuart Arnold

A TEENAGER who sexually groomed a 13-year-old girl on Facebook has been spared jail after a judge said he would not receive the treatment he needs.

Nathan Rae was accused by Judge Howard Crowson of being devious and manipulative in befriending the girl, who the defendant had described as a “pure stunner” and a “hottie”.

The judge suspended a 15 month sentence on Rae for two years and said he would be supervised in the community and attend a sex offender treatment program.

Rae, 19, of Malden Road, Middlesbrough, admitted meeting a child following sexual grooming.

He had previously received a caution for sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

David Crook, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court, that the victim chatted online with Rae and met with him at his request in Middlesbrough town centre.

The matter was reported to the police after the girl's parents checked her Facebook account. Rae was arrested and admitted he had courted the complainant with a view to having consensual sex.

Mr Crook said Rae was already subject to sex offender registration requirements.

When questioned he lied to police about the meeting and the fact he was using a smart phone to access the internet, which he was forbidden to do.

Rae's barrister Andrew Turton said he was an immature young man who needed help and suggested a community-based sentence would offer a greater prospect of long term rehabilitation.

Judge Crowson told Rae: “The approach you took was in my view devious.

“You were trying to use Facebook for your own ends.”

Rae was disqualified from working with children and made subject to a sexual offences prevention order, with the judge warning him that he would be jailed if he was returned to court.