BRANDON ORMOND

A predatory sex offender engaged in abuse against a 15-year-old girl who was missing, after encountering her alone during nighttime.

Brandon Ormond approached her on the street, convincing her he was a "good person" by offering her religious literature.

He then took the vulnerable teenager to a secluded spot near a beach, where he committed a series of sexual acts.

After abandoning her in the early hours, she was later found distressed by police near a Morrisons supermarket.

During a court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that the girl had gone missing from her home and traveled by bus to New Brighton, Wirral, arriving around 10:30pm.

Authorities located her at approximately 6am the next morning, noting she was visibly upset and disclosed she had been sexually assaulted.

Prosecutor Frances Wilmott described how the girl recounted Ormond, of Ripon Road, Wallasey, approached her and initiated a conversation.

Despite her initial wariness, the 29-year-old claimed he was a Christian and handed her a religious leaflet, which led her to believe he was a good person.

The pair sat together on a bench, where Ormond asked permission to put his arm around her, citing the cold as a reason.

He then suggested moving to a nearby underpass near the beach, promising it was warmer.

There, he kissed the young girl despite her protests about her age.

He then asked if she wanted to have sex, and after pulling down his trousers, performed a sexual act on her, saying he thought she was attractive before being interrupted by a barking dog.

Ormond left her and returned home around 3:30am, leaving her walking alone to a nearby store before police found her at dawn.

He was arrested and claimed he thought she was homeless and 18 years old.

Investigations of his phone revealed images of partially dressed young girls in sexualised poses, but these were not classified as criminal images under law.

Defence solicitor Martine Snowdon stated that Ormond had received positive references and read a letter expressing remorse and recognition of the impact of his actions.

The court also issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and Ormond is required to remain on the sex offenders' register for life.