Reggie Cannon, who was an adult at the time, told the girl he was still at school, in Instagram exchanges.
The messaging continued for several weeks, and Cannon would go on to meet the girl after school on a number of occasions.
Durham Crown Court heard that around Christmas several years ago, the pair met in a County Durham park and the girl agreed to go with Cannon for a walk providing there would be, “no funny business”.
But her request fell on deaf ears as in the darkest area of the park Cannon raped and sexually assaulted the girl.
Three days later, after the victim had spent two days refusing to leave home, she did go out and Cannon committed a further sexual assault.
Although matters were reported to police and an investigation was launched at the time, the defendant, now 24 and of Hollyhill Gardens East, Stanley, was only charged in January this year.
He admitted charges of rape, meeting a girl following sexual grooming and two counts of sexual assault at a crown court plea hearing in May.
Cannon was bailed pending preparation of reports prior to sentence and made subject of interim requirements to register as a sex offender, which he breached in mid-June for failing to notify police he had changed address.
It led to his arrest and he has been remanded in custody for the last month.
He appeared at the court on Friday (July 17) via video link from HMP Holme House.
Defence counsel Caled Suggett told the court that the defendant is immature and with learning difficulties, “operating” at a much younger level than his chronological age.
But he said with the passage of time since the incident he has come to realise the gravity of his offending.
Mr Suggett said the defendant has communication difficulties and will find his time in prison harder than most.
Judge Nathan Adams told Cannon that when the girl told him there should be “no funny business”, he should have heeded those words but still went on to commit the offences in a concealed part of the park, knowing full well the age difference.
The judge said despite the time taken to investigate the offences he was at a loss as to why it has taken so many years for the case to reach a conclusion.
But he said in that time Cannon has been free to get on with his life, while the victim has had the long-lasting effect of his actions hanging over her.
Imposing a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence, Judge Adams also made Cannon subject of registration as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
He was also made subject of both a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, relating to the victim, both for ten years.
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Speaking after the sentencing hearing, the investigating officer in the case, Leanne Hogg, from Durham Police’s Complex Safeguarding Team, said: “I’d like to commend the young girl for the strength she has shown throughout this investigation and subsequent court process.
“By standing up to Cannon and having her voice heard, she has helped to take off the streets a dangerous predator who poses a clear risk to women and girls.”
She said anyone experiencing sexual abuse should contact the force via the 101, or, in an emergency, the 999 line should be used.
