Sex offender Charlie Flinders, now 18, has avoided going to prison - despite being found guilty of raping a 12-year-old girl when he was aged just 16.
Flinders received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to carrying out the attack.
Sheffield Crown Court, South Yorkshire, heard Flinders knew the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was underage but made sexual contact with her via a series of texts.
Detective Sergeant Gareth Gent said: “Flinders sent sexually inappropriate messages to a child, knowing she was underage and that his actions were against the law.
“Our enquiries uncovered evidence of Flinders being in sexual communication with his victim around the time of the crime.
“This culminated in the rape of a child and this sentencing means he will now receive the appropriate monitoring and rehabilitation - should he re-offend he faces going to prison.
“His criminal behaviour has undoubtedly contributed to the impact on his victim’s life.”
The rape happened in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in 2015 and Flinders pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing in December last year.
DS Gent added: “Child sexual abuse can have a devastating effect on its victims and I hope that this young girl is now able to move forwards in her recovery with the knowledge that her abuser has been brought to justice.
“If anyone out there is suffering sexual abuse or exploitation, or if you have concerns for a child, please contact the police.“
SWNS
