A CHILD abductor who raped a 12-year-old girl after snatching her off the street and driving away with her in a stolen car was jailed indefinitely today.

Stephen Turton lured the vulnerable youngster into the vehicle in the Doxford Park area of Sunderland in May this year before driving off with her, planning to take her to London.

He was caught by chance after police near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, became suspicious when they spotted the car hours later in a lay-by.

By then Turton, 36, had already raped and carried out a second sexual assault on his victim, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Turton, of Merle Terrace, Sunderland, admitted rape, sexual assault, child abduction, taking a car without consent and making off without paying for petrol at a garage.

The offences all took place between May 5 and May 6 this year.

Judge Beatrice Bolton imposed a sentence of public protection upon Turton and said he would serve at least six-and-half-years imprisonment before he could be considered for parole.

''The offence you committed was an extremely serious one involving the abduction of a 12-year-old little girl,'' she said.

''She had fallen out with her mum and (was) sitting with her friend when you approached them in a car.

''Fortunately the other girl didn't get into the car. The girl got into the car with you probably because she was angry with her mother.

''You sexually abused her in a terrible way. It is difficult to know what would have happened to this little girl if the police had not arrived at the scene and it is fortunate they did.''

* For full story see The Northern Echo tomorrow.