A PAEDOPHILE who groomed a schoolboy before repeatedly raping him has been locked up for more than 20 years.

Julian Horley, 43, from Darlington, used social networking sites and messaging systems to prey on the vulnerable youngster.

When the boy had his iPad taken from him, devious Horley bought him an iPhone so he could secretly stay in touch.

The pervert filmed his abuse, and also shared indecent photos with others online.

Horley was told by Judge Howard Crowson, at Teesside Crown Court, that he had robbed his victim of his childhood.

In a ten-minute video recording shown to the court, the boy told how his abuser forced him to keep quiet.

He said Horley warned that he would kill his mother and burn his house down if he ever told anyone their secret.

In her impact statement, the boy's mother said he had changed since being molested, and tried to run away from home.

"He was a really lovely, smiley, pleasant little boy, but became unhappy, aggressive and angry," she said.

Horley, now of Pendleton Road, Darlington, admitted rape, sexual assault, making and distributing indecent photos.

He was jailed for 21 years and nine months and ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life.

Judge Crowson also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which bans him from having unsupervised contact with under-16s.

Robin Denny, mitigating, said Horley should be given credit for pleading guilty - even though it was at the 11th hour.

He said the admissions on the day he was due to stand trial had saved the victim from reliving his ordeal in court.

"When one considers risk in this case, it should be remembered that this man is 43 and there has been no indication of any other victims over the past years," said Mr Denny.

"The defendant is properly facing up to the enormity of his offending. I appreciate the likely damage the boy may have been caused."

The court heard how Horley bought his victim gifts, and on at least one occasion communicated with him at 3am.

When his mobile phone was analysed, 233 indecent images were found, and a message in which Horley asked the boy to send him explicit videos.

This story was updated on Wednesday, May 27.