Sex offender raped child in West Lothian woods after meeting on Snapchat
Wayne Phillipson, 48, travelled up from England to carry out the attack
A sex offender from England who travelled up to West Lothian to rape a child after messaging her on Snapchat has been jailed for 7 years.
Wayne Phillipson, 48 and from Durham, sent the 12-year-old girl a series of sexual, indecent and obscene messages over a three-day period in September 2021.
He then travelled from his home to the West Lothian area that same month after arranging the meet the child.
Phillipson subjected the girl to a violent sexual assault and rape in woodland.
The victim managed to escape with the offender located by police a short time later.
On Friday, at the High Court in Glasgow, Phillipson was ordered to serve a minimum of seven years in custody after previously found guilty following a trial in Livingston.
His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Detective Inspector Craig Higgins at the Child and Adult Protection Unit in Livingston said: “Phillipson is a dangerous sexual predator who subjected this young girl to a horrendous ordeal and now faces the consequences of his actions.
“I commend the girl for her strength in reporting his offending and throughout the legal proceedings and hope that this can bring her and her family closure as they continue to move forward with their life.
“I’d urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual crime or has suffered sexual abuse, regardless of when it happened, to come forward and report it to us. All reports are thoroughly investigated, and we have specially trained officers who, alongside our partner agencies, will support you throughout.”