The PSNI have urged victims of sexual assault not to fear reporting their ordeal following the conviction of a teenager for the rape of a 12-year-old girl in a north Belfast park.
The 18-year-old was sentenced to three years for the rape of the child on May 17, 2017, just 18-months of which will be spent in detention.
The court heard after meeting the girl in the Waterworks Park in north Belfast he pulled her into bushes and raped her.
The man, who was 16-years-old at the time, was found guilty of two counts of rape and sexual assault earlier this year. He was sentenced on Wednesday and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years.
Judge McFarland branded the rape of a child as a "serious offence", and spoke of the lasting impact the incident will have on the young victim.
Belfast Crown Court heard that since the incident, the victim was admitted to hospital after she self-harmed and took tablets, and has trouble concentrating on her school work.
Barrister Philip Mateer QC also said she had been subjected to "name-calling on social media, even thought she was the victim in all of this."
Speaking about the conviction on Thursday Detective Chief Inspector Claire McGuigan from PSNI’'s Public Protection Branch said it was "an extremely harrowing and harmful act on a young girl and public protection officers worked diligently to bring the offender before the courts".
Appealing to other victims she said; "I know it can be really difficult for someone to report a rape or any sexual assault, but the young victim in this case thankfully confided in a trusted family member and police were able to take action. The perpetrator is now in prison.
"I would encourage anyone who has been a victim to please come forward and report it to police. We treat every allegation of sexual abuse seriously and whilst we know it may be very difficult to do, please be assured that we will make it as easy as possible for you.
"Our detectives work in plain clothes and we can arrange to meet at a time and place that best suits you. I can assure you that you will be treated with the utmost sensitivity, care and respect. If you are a victim please don’t suffer in silence, come and speak to us".
