A sexual predator who attacked a teenager in South Tyneside has been jailed after being convicted of attempted rape.

Steven Nixon preyed on his victim near to West Park in Jarrow as she was walking home shortly after 11pm on July 19.

It was reported that the 38-year-old attacked the girl, who was 16 at the time, and attempted to rape her before leaving the area.

The victim, in a distressed state, ran to safety and flagged down nearby residents to disclose what had happened, and they immediately called police.

Officers attended to offer specialist support to the victim and an investigation was launched by Northumbria Police's Safeguarding Department to track down Nixon.

Detectives carried out extensive enquiries trawling hours of CCTV and working with our Forensic Services Department to gather crucial evidence.

It took the investigating team just three days to identify, locate, arrest and charge Nixon – and, after appearing at Newcastle Crown Court on August 22, he pleaded guilty to attempted rape and was remanded into custody.

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And on Monday (October 17) Nixon, of Tweed Street in Hebburn, appeared before the same court where he was sentenced to seven years and three months in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Sergeant Kimberley Wright, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, said: “The bravery the victim has shown throughout the investigation and court proceedings – and continues to display to this day – has been nothing short of incredible.

“Thanks to her courage, and with support from many of those residents who gave her vital support in the initial aftermath, we were able to identify Nixon quickly and put him before the courts.

“The hard work and dedication of all the officers and police staff involved in this case meant that a thorough file was presented before the CPS, which left Nixon little choice but to admit his guilt.

"Nixon left a trail of evidence, meaning that detectives were quickly able to catch up with him and irrefutably place him at the scene of the crime.

“And after being convicted, Nixon has now been put behind bars for a considerable amount of time where he can’t hurt anyone else.

"While his disgusting actions will stay with the victim, now 17, both mentally and physically for a long time, I hope that today’s result will offer some form of closure.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully rare in our force area, however when such offences do occur, we are here to support victims and are committed to bringing effective justice against those responsible.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of any form of sexual offence to come forward – please know that we are here for you, we will listen and we will support you.”

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