Man groomed girl then raped her

A predator who raped a schoolgirl attacked his victim after sending her messages on Facebook and Snapchat, a court has heard.

John Fawcett, 26, used the social media networks to groom the girl before assaulting her in Leslie, Fife, on October 4 2016.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Fawcett had made contact with the girl when she was 16.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, agreed to meet him, but the court heard that she did not consent to having sex with Fawcett.

The story emerged after Fawcett, from Leslie, was convicted of rape following a three-day trial.

Fawcett, who is known in his village as Rob, denied the charge, but jurors took just two hours to return a guilty verdict.

During proceedings, the court heard how the girl, who is now aged 18, agreed to meet Fawcett at the Back Braes in Leslie – a green space area.

She told the court that once she met up with Fawcett, however, he started indulging in sexual activity which she did not consent to.

The young woman told the jury Fawcett started to kiss her before restraining her and performing sex acts on her.

He then went on to rape her. Lord Brailsford remanded Fawcett in custody, placed him on the sex offenders register and deferred sentence until May 4.