The judge who sentenced Callum Dimmock, 19, said he should serve a significant term because of her age despite Dimmock's claims that he thought she was 15.

Preston Crown Court heard that Dimmock, who was 18 at the time, and a friend had arranged to meet the girl and her friend, who was 15, in the Grange Park area of the city.

The 12-year-old girl drank a glass of cider, the court heard.

After sex, the girl later told a friend she feared she might be pregnant.

Eventually her mother found out and police were brought in.

Dimmock told officers "I know it was wrong, she is 15 and I'm 18."
It was then he was told her true age.

Nicholas Kennedy, prosecuting, said Dimmock was on bail for a string of crimes including witness intimidation.

He had telephoned a 16-year-old girl and threatened that "her life won't be worth living" if she identified him as the person who stole her mobile phone.

He had also been a passenger in a stolen car which led police on a chase.

Dimmock, now 19, of Watling Street Road, Ribbleton, pleaded guilty to the rape of the 12-year-old girl.

He also admitted charges of aggravated vehicle taking, burglary of a garage, theft and witness intimidation.

He was sent into youth custody for six years for the rape with an added four months on the other matters.

Julie Taylor, defending, said the 12-year-old had, "persuaded him to come to the park with the promise of sex."

She added: "It is a sad fact of life and I am not happy to say this. But girls even of that young age had experience of such matters."

Dimmock, Miss Taylor said, had never been to custody before and came from a decent family who "despair of him".

Judge Norman Wright said he accepted sex was consensual but a girl of 12 was not capable of giving such consent.

He told Dimmock he will be on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.