A BRIERLEY Hill man who brutally raped a 12-year-old schoolgirl has been jailed for seven years.

Jonathan Priddy, of Moor Street, showed no reaction as he was caged at Wolverhampton Crown Court after he admitted the sickening offence.

Prosecutor Helena Miller told the hearing 20-year-old Priddy pounced on the girl in a park and pushed her into bushes before repeatedly slapping her about the face.

She told the court Priddy put his hand over the mouth of the screaming girl as she begged him to stop before carrying out the rape.

Judge Michael Challinor said: “This offence is aggravated by the fact you struck this little girl using a significant degree of violence.

“She was begging you to stop and screaming out. It was a wicked thing you have done.”

At the hearing, on Wednesday September 24, the Judge said it was clear Priddy had harmed his young victim and the crime had also had a devastating effect on her family.

Priddy was ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and barred from ever working with children.

Miss Miller said the schoolgirl had been to visit friends who were camping in the park and, when they came onto the scene, she was able to run away and tell them what had happened.

Miss Miller added she was visibly upset and she felt “scared and violated.”

Police were notified and, when arrested, Priddy told officers: “I have a problem with the drink.”

Wilbert Harris, defending, told the court alcohol had played a major part in the offence and added: “He regrets what he has done and he wants to apologise to the girl and to her family.”

The Judge ruled he had to pass a long sentence to deter others who might be tempted to carry out sex attacks on young girls.

Detective constable Mick Ford, from Brierley Hill CID, said: “We hope the sentence has bought some closure for the victim of this distressing crime and her family.”