Man travelled to Scotland to rape 12-year-old girl he met on Snapchat

A sex offender who travelled to Scotland to rape a 12-year-old girl after messaging her on Snapchat has been handed an order for lifelong restriction.

Wayne Phillipson was found guilty of attacking the victim following a trial at the High Court in Livingston in August 2024.

The 48-year-old, from Durham, sent the child a series of sexual, indecent and obscene messages over a three-day period in September 2021.

He then travelled from his home to the West Lothian area that same month after arranging the meet the girl.

Phillipson subjected the girl to a violent sexual assault and rape in woodland.

The victim managed to escape with the offender located by police a short time later.

At the end of the trial, the accused pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching bail conditions.

On February 21, at the High Court in Glasgow, Phillipson was ordered to serve a minimum of seven years in custody.

His name has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, said: “Wayne Phillipson is a predatory individual who used social media to target this young child in a planned course of action.

“This type of offending has no place in Scotland and victims can be assured that we are committed to the effective prosecution of such crimes.

“We hope this conviction brings some comfort and I would urge anyone with information or knowledge of offending of this kind to come forward and report it as soon as they can.

“You will be listened to and supported as we seek to secure justice using all the tools at our disposal.”

Detective inspector Craig Higgins, at the Child and Adult Protection Unit in Livingston, said: “Phillipson is a dangerous sexual predator who subjected this young girl to a horrendous ordeal and now faces the consequences of his actions.

“I commend the girl for her strength in reporting his offending and throughout the legal proceedings and hope that this can bring her and her family closure as they continue to move forward with their life.

“I’d urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual crime or has suffered sexual abuse, regardless of when it happened, to come forward and report it to us. All reports are thoroughly investigated, and we have specially trained officers who, alongside our partner agencies, will support you throughout.”