A rapist who targeted his underage teenage victims using Snapchat has been jailed for 12 years.
Samuel Gorton, of Leverington, near Wisbech, tricked the two girls into thinking he was younger than his age on social media.
The 20-year-old was sentenced for three counts of rape against two teenage girls, one from Cambridgeshire and a second from Norfolk, at Norwich Crown Court today (March 7).
He has been sentenced to 12 years custodial and ordered to serve eight years on extended licence.
Gorton was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 30 years, restraining order until further notice and will be on the Sex Offender Register for life.
He had previously pleaded not guilty, but a jury found him guilty of the rape offences following a three-week trial at Norwich Crown Court.
The court heard how Gorton targeted both young victims using Snapchat, deceiving them into believing he was younger than he is and then very quickly manipulated a way he could meet up with them.
Despite using a fake Snapchat account and providing his second victim with a false name, Norfolk Constabulary worked with Cambridge Constabulary and were able to identify and trace Gorton who has been held in prison on remand since his arrest on May 15 2024 in the King’s Lynn area.
Det Con Paul McCormack who led the Norfolk investigation, said: “Gorton is a dangerous individual who took advantage of two vulnerable young victims. I commend their courage and strength throughout this investigation and subsequent trial.
“No sentence can take away the harm that he has caused to them but it is because of the bravery that they have shown that Gorton can now be prevented from further offending.
“I hope this verdict reassures victims of sexual violence that we do take it seriously and will do our upmost to pursue justice, not just for the victims but for the safety and protection of the wider public.”
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