A SICK pervert sexually abused a 13-year-old schoolgirl who had got lost having run away from home, following a row with her mum.
Natnael Teclehaimanot, originally from Eritrea, found the teenager in Hanley, part of Stoke-on-Trent, in the early hours of the morning.
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The girl was dressed in a hoodie and pyjama bottoms and didn’t know where she was, having argued with her mother and had decided to run away.
There was no charge in her mobile phone.
Teclehaimanot, 32, lied about his age and even though he knew how old the girl was, he took her to his address in Stoke so she could charge up her phone.
However, he took advantage of the schoolgirl and sexually touched and abused her.
Following a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Teclehaimanot has now been jailed for four years.
His conviction should lead to his deportation.
He had denied four charges of sexual activity with a child but was convicted following a trial in July.
The abuse the girl suffered had a significant impact on her.
A victim impact statement, read out in court by the girl’s grandmother, said: “I froze. I hate myself for it. I wish I had poked your eyes out. You are a pervert.
“I can’t look at myself without hurting myself. I can’t look at men the same any more.
“I really do not want to be alive any more. But I am scared of how my family would feel if I ever did it. I stay up at night crying.
“I was happy and friendly. Now I take my feelings out on others. You are a horrible person.”
Prosecutor James Hudson said Teclehaimanot had “targeted a particularly vulnerable child”.
He added: “There was a significant disparity in age. He admitted in evidence being under the influence of alcohol.”
Rashad Mohammed, mitigating, agreed it was an unpleasant offence which the victim should not have been subjected to.
He added Teclehaimanot maintained his innocence.
Mr Mohammed said: “The offending was opportunistic. He simply came across her.
“He has indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
“He is originally from Eritrea. He was ill-treated there and made his way to the UK.
“He has no family in this country. His family, his parents and wife, are all in Africa.
“Up until very recently he had been in employment.
“Since in this country, he has always supported his family back in Africa.”
Mr Mohammed also argued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was not necessary due to the defendant being of good character; the opportunistic nature of the offence; his age; and the lack of repetition in offending.
He added: “He will be subject to notification requirements. He will remain on the police radar.”
Judge Richard McConaghy said: “You were in Hanley in the early hours of the morning when you came across a 13-year-old girl who was on her own and seeking help.
“She had left home a number of hours earlier following an argument with her mother. But her mobile phone had run out of charge.
“She was dressed in pyjama bottoms and a large hooded top. She was crying.
“She asked if you knew where she could charge her mobile phone.
“You seized your opportunity.
“You took her in a taxi back to the address where you lived in Stoke, having told her that you had power she could use to charge her phone.
“You got her to go into your room where the phone was put on charge. You kept her in your house for long enough for you to do what you wanted with her.
“I am sure that your intention was to isolate her and you managed to do that.
“You began to sexually abuse her.
“You had by this time given her a hug and told her she could trust you. You had lied to her about your age. She had told you exactly how old she was.
“She was able to contact her aunt on the phone that had now been charged. The aunt managed to get the girl to order a taxi.
“I note you still show now contrition in your pre-sentence report. The impact that your offending has had on the girl has been significant and profound.
“You targeted a particularly vulnerable victim. This is a serious offence of its type.”
Teclehaimanot will serve no more than half the sentence in custody before he is deported, the Stoke Sentinel reports.
He was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and was made the subject of an indefinite SHPO.
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