Rotherham man jailed after sexually abusing 13-year-old girl

Mark Hastie, aged 20, of Fleming Way, Flanderwell, admitted three counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of possessing indecent images of children.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how the father of the girl called police to report concerns about an ‘older man’ trying to contact his daughter.

When officers spoke with the teenager, she disclosed the sexual abuse.

Hastie was arrested and had his phone and laptop seized, which revealed he had been sending inappropriate messages to his victim, encouraging her to engage in sexual activity with him.

The 20-year-old also was found to have indecent images of children. He pleaded guilty at a earlier hearing.

Hastie was also handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Inspector John Fitzgibbons, of Rotherham’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Hastie preyed on a young, vulnerable girl for his own sexual gratification and his victim has been very brave in coming forward and telling us what happened.

“Our dedicated multi-agency child sexual exploitation team called Evolve in Rotherham has been instrumental in supporting the victim, gathering evidence and bringing the case before the courts.

“Our commitment to tackling child sexual exploitation in all its forms continues in earnest and we will take whatever action we can to safeguard children from harm.

“Anyone with concerns about child sexual exploitation should contact the police on 101 or the new national helpline Say Something on 116 000. Always call 999 in an emergency.”