Sex offender convicted for attack on girl, 13

A sex offender has been convicted of rape and other sexual offences after he was found guilty by a jury of attacking a 13-year-old girl in Burntwood in August last year.

Wayne Scarratt, aged 28, of Malvern, Worcestershire, appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday (25 May) where he was found guilty following trial of rape, assault by penetration, assault, theft and breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He was remanded in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing due at the same court in July.

The court heard how Scarratt, who had only been released from prison two weeks prior to the attack, met the child in Chasewater Country Park during the evening of 7 August 2022.

Scarratt then grabbed her from behind, punched and stamped on her face before raping and sexually assaulting her in a wooded area.

He left the scene with the victim’s mobile phone; leaving her unable to call for help, as well as her bank card, £5 in cash and her bus pass.

The victim managed to crawl a short distance before alerting a passing cyclist who called the police.

In the attack, the victim suffered a fractured right cheek, a fractured collarbone as well as bruising to her right eye, face and foot.

We immediately sent officers to the scene and later located Scarratt in the Malvern area, hiding in a hedgerow.

He was arrested and later charged with the offences before being found guilty by a unanimous jury on 25 May.

Speaking following Scarratt’s conviction, Detective Constable Dan Hopkins, of our Child Protection and Exploitation Unit (CPET) who was the officer in charge of the case, said: “This was a violent and horrific attack on a defenceless child.

“Scarratt was manipulative and callous in his brutality against the victim who has shown great bravery throughout the investigation and court process.

“I am pleased that the jury saw through Scarratt’s denials and hope that his conviction brings some comfort to the victim and her family as they continue to come to terms with what happened.”

If you have been affected by sexual abuse, contact us via Livechat on our website or call 101.

Call 999 in an emergency.