A SEXUAL predator from Clacton has been jailed for nine and a half years for raping a 12-year-old schoolgirl.

Samuel Indradas, 21, had denied a charge of raping a girl under the age of 13 but was convicted after a four-day trial in November.

He was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court by Judge John Devaux this week.

The trial had heard Indradas had groomed the girl with drugs and booze before having sex.

He had met the girl inside the shop where he worked.

The defendant had claimed he thought his victim was 18, but the court heard she was 12 at the time of the attack, on September 23, 2015.

He had convinced her to go back to an address in Groom Park where he supplied her with alcohol and cannabis before raping her.

Indradas, of Old Road, Clacton, was arrested the next day after the victim’s mother contacted police.

He was put on the Sex Offenders' Register and given a sexual harm prevention order by the court.

Investigating officer PC Dianne Smith said: "Samuel Indradas is a sexual predator who preyed on an innocent young girl.

"He supplied drink and drugs before taking advantage of her. He took her innocence and showed no remorse.

"Indradas is a danger to the public and I am glad he has been taken off our streets.

"I also want to praise the bravery and courage of the victim and her family throughout this investigation.”