POLICE have pledged to do, “what is absolutely necessary” to prosecute sexual predators to protect the safety of others.

That was the message from the Northumbria force’s safeguarding unit after a rapist was jailed without the victim giving a formal account against him.

Nathan Ali targeted a 12-year-old victim in a McDonald’s restaurant in Newcastle.

After engaging her in conversation he asked if she wanted to go back to his house.

Unknown to the girl, Ali took her back to a student house in Newcastle.

He went on to have sex with the victim, who cannot legally consent due to her age, while the occupants were away from the premises.

Newcastle Crown Court heard when the occupants did return home, they saw the pair in bed and contacted the police after realising the girl was a child.

An investigation was launched by the safeguarding unit and Ali was swiftly arrested.

The 22-year-old refused to answer the questions put to him, but with overwhelming DNA evidence stacked against him, he pleaded guilty to one count of rape of a child under 13, on the basis he believed she was 17.

Read more: Trimdon sex 'predator' considered a danger to young females

Ali, of Bridant Road, London, was recently given a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence with a one-year extended licence period.

He must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.

A restraining order also forbids contact or approaches to the girl for five years.

The officer who led the investigation, Detective Constable Colin Lether, praised the victim for her bravery in going through an initial examination, as, without it, police would not have been able to bring Ali to justice.

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