Locations
Stanley, County Durham, DH9
Description
A man who groomed a young girl before raping her in a park has been jailed.
Reggie Cannon was 19 when he began messaging the 14-year-old girl on Instagram, telling her he was aged 16 and still at school.
The messaging continued for several weeks, and Cannon came to meet the girl after she finished school on a number of occasions.
In December 2020, the pair met up in a park in Seaham where Cannon raped and sexually assaulted the girl.
He was arrested and a police investigation launched.
The 24-year-old, of Stanley, was charged with rape, sexual assault, and grooming, which he admitted at a previous court hearing.
He also admitted failing to comply with the sex offender notification requirements, after failing to disclose he had changed addresses.
Cannon appeared at Durham Crown Court today (July 17) where he was jailed for six-and-a-half years.
He was also handed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, a ten-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the girl, and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Investigative Officer Leanne Hogg, from Durham Constabulary’s Complex Safeguarding Team, led the investigation.
She said:
“I’d like to commend the young girl for the strength she has shown throughout this investigation and subsequent court process.
“By standing up to Cannon and having her voice heard, she has helped to take a dangerous predator off the streets, who poses a clear risk to women and girls.”