Child rapist used porn to groom victim

Peter Dellbridge was found guilty of 19 offences including raping a child

A child rapist who showed a young girl pornography to tell her what to do when he attacked her has been jailed for 16 years.

Peter Dellbridge, 64, groomed the girl before carrying out a catalogue of sexual abuse against his vulnerable victim, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Judge Penny Moreland said Dellbridge, of Western Avenue in Seaton Deleval, North Tyneside, "took advantage of [the girl] in order to abuse her".

He had denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty by jurors of 19 offences including raping a child under 13.

Judge Moreland said Dellbridge started by showing the girl pornography on his computer with the purpose of "educating her about the things" he was "going to ask her to do".

"You told her this was what big girls did and she trusted you," the judge told Dellbridge.

'Lifelong devastating impact'

Prosecutor David Povall said there was "undoubtedly grooming" of the girl by Dellbridge, with the pornography used by the paedophile as a "context for further offences".

The offending emerged when the girl became an adult and told her partner and a therapist, the court heard.

Judge Moreland said the impact of such abuse on children was "lifelong and devastating".

As an offender of "particular concern", Dellbridge will also have to serve an extra year on extended licence, the judge said.

Dellbridge was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order limiting his future contact with children indefinitely and must sign the sex offenders register for life.

Det Con Lucy Joyce of Northumbria Police praised the victim for reporting the abuse, adding: "Justice has finally been secured.

"It's never too late to report to us and allow us to put these types of criminals in front of the courts."

"The clock never runs out on the support we can offer you."