A COMPULSIVE paedophile was jailed for 17 years for the rape of a young girl who he groomed and preyed on, following “significant planning”.

Jason McSorley previously served a 32-month prison sentence for offences including sexually touching the girl, plus downloading indecent pictures of children, having amassed more than 10,000 such images.

But, the victim subsequently confided in her mother that McSorley went further than the offences for which he was jailed in 2014.

It resulted in him standing trial at Teesside Crown Court, earlier this year on two counts of rape, which he denied.

But, following little over two hours’ deliberation, the jury returned unanimous ‘guilty’ verdicts, on both counts.

Aisha Wadoudi, prosecuting at the sentencing hearing at Durham Crown Court, said when police visited him at his flat in Lawrence Street, Stockton, in May and July last year, he was found to be in breach of the terms of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order, imposed when he was previously sentenced.

He was to have no unsupervised contact with girls under 16, but it emerged he had joined a sports club, which has young members, using a false name, while he had various phones and other devices capable of taking photographs, and he had also downloaded 1,063 more indecent photos of children.

Although McSorley denied the rape allegations, he admitted new charges of making indecent images of children and breaching the terms of the Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

The court was told his offending has had a deep psychological effect on the victim, who for a while was said to have “gone off the rails” in her behaviour, believing she was worthless.

Duncan McCreddie, mitigating, said although the defendant is still in denial at the rape offences, he accepts he is a paedophile.

“It’s a compulsion he has struggled to come to terms with all his life,” he said.

“He accepts, during the the inevitable term of imprisonment that will follow he will have to undergo rigorous work to try to rid himself of that compulsion.”

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hickey told McSorley his offending had caused an “extreme impact” on his victim.

“You targeted and groomed her with significant planning, and you have caused her severe psychological harm, ruining her childhood.”

He said there is a significant risk of him committing similar offences in future, and, therefore, McSorley can only be released if it is considered safe to do so by the Parole Board, and only after he has served at least half the 17 year sentence.

McSorley will also be subject to registration as a sex offender for life and restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Following the sentencing hearing, an NSPCC spokesperson said: “McSorley’s appalling abuse will have had a devastating impact on his young victim, who has shown incredible bravery in recounting her ordeal.

“Her continued courage has helped to ensure this predatory paedophile has been brought to justice and we hope she is receiving all possible support to help rebuild her life.

“Child sexual abuse can have life-long effects and it’s important that survivors have the confidence to speak out, knowing they will be listened to.

“Adults with concerns about a child can contact our Helpline on 0808 8005000. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.”