Mechanic, 28, jailed for 10 years after cops caught him raping girl, 12, in Brighton seaside car park
A MECHANIC has been jailed after cops caught him raping a schoolgirl in a seaside car park.
Niall O’Sullivan, 28, has now been locked up for 10 years after the horror sex attack in Brighton in May.
The monster – who was 15 years the girl’s senior – was caught in the act after the youngster’s pals frantically called 999.
East Sussex’s Lewes Crown Court heard how O’Sullivan had groomed the 12-year-old after they met online.
The pair spoke on Snapchat and WhatsApp for months before the then-27-year-old drove from Birmingham to Brighton to meet her.
Tim Forster, prosecuting, told the court the girl was in her school uniform the first time they met.
He added: “She was clearly under 16 by a significant margin.”
The pair had met on three occasions until O’Sullivan raped her in his car.
On that horror day, the young girl had told her mum she was seeing her friends.
And while she did meet her pals, it was them who called the cops on O’Sullivan.
Police were scrambled to the car park in Brighton Marina at about 2pm on Sunday May 7.
Jailing O’Sullivan, Judge Christine Laing, said: “You drove all the way down from Birmingham just to have sex with this child.”
The victim told police O’Sullivan became angry with her when she tried to speak with or go out with other friends.
Kevin Light, defending, said: “He knows what he did was wrong.
“He has mentioned throughout that he did not know how young she was although he admits that he knew she was under-age.”
Judge Laing, the Honorary Recorder of Brighton and Hove, said: “Sexual abuse of young children often gives them a life sentence. None of us knows the impact that it will have on (the victim) as she grows up.
“The law is there to protect children … and that’s why the sentences are as severe as they are.
“You knew full well you shouldn’t have been doing what you were doing. You drove all the way down from Birmingham just to have sex with this child.
“It would have been very obvious that she was very young and somewhat naïve.
“You didn’t even bother forking out for a hotel for this child but just had sex with her in your car. You knew full well that if you took her into a hotel, you would very likely have been challenged.”
You drove all the way down from Birmingham just to have sex with this child.
Christine Laing
The Judge locked O’Sullivan up for nine years and four months, and made him the subject of a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.
The judge also recommended that the two friends who called the police should receive a £200 award from the High Sheriff of East Sussex.
Detective Constable Stewart Cameron, from Sussex Police, said: “This was a highly distressing case which has had a lasting impact on the vulnerable young victim.
“O’Sullivan knew what he was doing was wrong and had no choice but to plead guilty when confronted with the evidence.
“His behaviour was brazen, often taking the victim to public locations in daylight in order to commit the appalling offences.
“This case demonstrates our determination to catch offenders and to get justice for vulnerable victims. We are pleased that a dangerous sex offender is now off our streets.”