Kent man jailed after sexually assaulting schoolgirl in South Tyneside

KENT MAN JAILED AFTER SEXUALLY ASSAULTING SCHOOLGIRL IN SOUTH TYNESIDE

A pervert from Kent lied about his age before sexually assaulting a schoolgirl in South Tyneside.

Danny Dennis was visiting the North East and pretended to be 15-years-old and lost in the area when he met two schoolgirls.Believing his lies, one of the girls took pity on him and suggested he stay at her home on an airbed.

But the 23-year-old persuaded the girl to allow him in her bed, before he sexually assaulted her.

During the terrifying ordeal, he told her: "Just do what I'm telling you to do or something bad will happen."On Wednesday, Dennis, of Elm Grove, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for two counts of sexual assault of a child.

He had pleaded guilty to the offences.The court heard that Dennis was visiting the North East when he encountered two schoolgirls in South Tyneside, telling them he was 15-years-old.

He told them he was supposed to be staying at a relatives home, but couldn't find the address.The three walked the streets for a couple of hours before one of the girls suggested he stay at her home on an airbed.

Knowing the girls were both underage, he agreed.Sue Hirst, prosecuting, said: "The airbed was on the floor but the defendant immediately complained, asking if he could sleep at the bottom of the bed.

[The victim] woke to find him [in bed]."During the night, Dennis sexually assaulted the girl as she told him to stop.

He told her: "Just do what I'm telling you to do or something bad will happen." Following the sexual assault, Dennis left the property.

Despite the horrific sexual assault taking place, the brave victim managed to capture Dennis on video and took pictures of him.

She later provided the evidence to police and he was arrested.When arrested, Dennis denied the offences, but later pleaded guilty at court.

In a statement, the now-adult victim said the offences "put me through hell" and caused her to lose trust in men.Jane Foley did not mitigate on behalf of the defendant after the judge indicated he would pass a suspended sentence.

The court was told he had no previous convictions.Judge Robert Adams said Dennis "targeted a vulnerable victim" and sentenced him to 17 months prison, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 30 rehabilitation days and 150 hours unpaid work.An indefinite restraining order was also imposed alongside a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.

Dennis will also be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.