Man who repeatedly raped seven-year-old girl when he was 13 jailed

A man who repeatedly raped a seven-year-old girl when he was 13 before grooming another child when he was an adult has been jailed for five years.

Joshua Noseworthy attacked the youngest girl three times in a common close and garden at different addresses in Hamilton, Lanarkshire between 2013 and 2014.

The victim later made a drawing for police helping catch her abuser.

Noseworthy went on to prey on a 13- year-old girl who he groomed in 2018 and 2019 in Greenock and Gourock, both Inverclyde.

Noseworthy, now 21, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

He had earlier been convicted of two rape charges against the youngest child after a trial in Airdrie.

The pervert, of Greenock, was further guilty of three charges involving the other victim including engaging in sexual activity with an underage girl.

Lord Harrower told him: “You raped (the first girl) during three separate incidents.

“She was aged between seven and eight – you were 13 or 14.

“She reported it to the police when she was eight. She drew a sketch for the police.

“The other charges involve a girl when she was 13 and you were 18.”

The judge added Noseworthy was said to have displayed a “high degree of planning, manipulation and grooming” and that he had shown “hostility” towards his victims.

Lord Harrower concluded: “Although you were young, you never faced up to what you did (with the first girl) and, as a young adult, you continued to re-offend.”

Noseworthy was also put on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

His lawyer earlier told the hearing the rape charges “could be said to be somewhat astonishing”.

Dale Hughes, defending, added: “The court will be considering a lack of insight and stonewall denial (of all offences).

“It is not unusual, but quite marked in this case.”