Brave teenager praised for helping to put dangerous predator behind bars
A prosecutor who helped to lead efforts to put child rapist Wayne Scarratt behind bars has praised the 13-year-old victim for her brave testimony in the case.
The 30-year-old was this week sentenced to life with a minimum term of 19 years for the violent attack on the girl at a park on the Walsall-Lichfield border.
Scarratt, who had only been released from prison two weeks before the attack on August 7 last year initially denied he had ever even met the victim.
He later claimed he thought she was around 16 and that they had consensual sex, but his lies unravelled when prosecutors and police proved there were several messages where the victim told him she was a child.
Following a trial at Stafford Crown Court he was convicted of rape, assault, assault, theft and breach of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
Crown Prosecution Service West Midlands Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit head Emma Tait said: “Wayne Scarratt is a dangerous predator who targeted a very young and vulnerable child for his own selfish gratification.
"He claimed he thought she was 16-years-old, but an analysis of his phone revealed there were several messages where the victim told him she was a child which rebutted his claim.
"He has been rightly given a life sentence for his offences and has been taken off our streets where he can no longer pose a danger to our community.
“The victim has suffered irreparable damage and I would like to commend her for her brave testimony. I hope that with Scarratt behind bars, she can begin the healing process and go on to enjoy a rich and full life.”
Scarratt, 30, Orchid Court in Malvern in Worcestshire was already a convicted paedophile and banned from contacting children when he befriended his latest victim through her Snapchat and Instagram accounts.