Predator who groomed, abducted and raped young girl put behind bars

Regan Mann had arranged to meet the youngster, who was under the age of 13, after contacting her on Snapchat

A predator who groomed, abducted and raped a young girl has been put behind bars for more than a decade. Regan Mann had arranged to meet the youngster, who was under the age of 13, after contacting her on Snapchat.

The girl took a friend of similar age along with her to meet Mann, who she thought was 14 or 15. Mann, who was 19 at the time, took both girls to his home in Brownhills on March 19.

He was jailed for ten-and-a-half years at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday, September 16, after previously pleading guilty to two charges of rape and one charge of abduction. Mann, now 20, was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life and made the subject of a restraining order preventing contact with his victims.

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Speaking after the sentencing, DC Lucy Simpson, from West Midlands Police's Complex Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Mann took advantage of his young victim, groomed her online and then arranged to meet up with her. She thought he was 14 or 15 but in reality he was 19. Despite knowing she was underage, he didn’t care.

“We are pleased with the sentence. This sends out a clear message that people who behave in this appalling way will be caught, convicted and will spend many years behind bars.

“The two girls have been very brave in providing evidence which has helped to successfully convict Mann. We hope their bravery encourages other people subjected to sexual abuse to come forward.”