Boldon man groomed and raped schoolgirl

A Boldon man has been jailed after he groomed a schoolgirl over social media, invited her to his home and raped her.

Rhys Walker spoke with the underage girl online and won her trust, inviting her over to his home.

Walker, 24, of Hall Gardens, West Boldon, had pleaded not guilty rape and sexual assault but found guilty by the jury after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

He was sentenced to eight years behind bars being placed on the sex offender’s register for life, as well as being given a sexual harm prevention order.