Rapist who groomed teenager jailed for 13 years

A Chester-le-Street man who groomed and sexually abused a teenager has been jailed for 13 years.

Jonathan Paton was 31 when he met the girl online after telling her he was 20 years old, and that his name was ‘Jonny’.

He quickly struck up a conversation with her on Snapchat and then arranged to meet her in summer 2020.

Paton, now 36, encouraged the girl to go to his house where he had sex with her. He then continued to have sex with the teenager for several months, and even said she should have his baby once she turned 16.

The girl bravely reached out to police to report she had been raped after several incidents where she told Paton ‘No’ but he continued to have sex with her.

After the victim came forward, Paton tried to erase all previous contact with the girl by deleting messages and removing her off Snapchat.

He was arrested and, while in interview, denied the offences of rape and denied having any sexual contact with the victim.

However, downloaded text messages from his phone proved the allegations.

Paton was charged with rape of a child and four counts of sexual activity with a child as well as grooming.

He was found guilty following a trial and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday (November 26) where he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed an indefinite restraining order, as well as sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Detective Constable Liam Padget, from Durham Constabulary’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Paton continuously told us how he had met the victim but nothing sexual had ever happened. He also claimed he did not know how old the victim was however this was overturned when officers uncovered his messages back and forth with her.

“Paton knew that the victim was a child and was therefore vulnerable, but he continued to sexually abuse her for his own gratification. He knew exactly what he was doing.

“We are constantly working with specialist officers to monitor, expose, and jail similar sexual abusers like Paton.”

To report a rape or sexual assault, call Durham Constabulary on 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

If you’re more comfortable reporting online, you can visit our online reporting page here: http://www.durham.police.uk/.../rape-sexual-assault.../

If you’re not ready to speak to police, there are other agencies who can help:

• NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000, email [email protected], or visit nspcc.org.uk
• Childline – call 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk
• The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre – call 0330 223 0099, or visit sarcdurham.co.uk