A pervert who engaged in sexual activity with a child on at least ten occasions before violently attacking her has been locked up.

Karl Smith took advantage of the significant age gap as he groomed the vulnerable teenager to carry out his sexual abuse which only came to an end when he physically attacked her.

The 32-year-old also set his dog on the victim and strangled her when she tried to end their ‘relationship’, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said the pair started a consensual sexual relationship but Smith had targeted a vulnerable child and there were some elements of grooming.

Dealing with one of the physical attacks, he said: “The defendant instructed his dog to bite the arm of the complainant and she slapped his leg. The defendant punched her to the face, dragged her to the ground by her hair and kicked her.”

Mr Cleasby said Smith attacked the girl again when he saw that she had been sending messages to another boy and he grabbed her by the throat and gripped it for ten seconds.

Karl SmithKarl Smith (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Smith, of Quin Square, South Hetton, County Durham, was found guilty of two charges of sexual activity with a child, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation following the incidents a few years ago.

Benjamin Bell, mitigating, said his client had found it difficult in prison since he was remanded into custody following his conviction and it had impacted his mental health.

Judge Richard Bennett sentenced Smith to a total of ten years for all offences as he told the defendant his behaviour contained elements of grooming.

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“On the first occasion, you pressured her into having sexual intercourse but she accepted that it was consensual. What developed was a sexual relationship between the pair of you,” he said.

“You were also violent towards her, when you had both being drinking, you set your dog on her and there was a play fight. After she slapped you in retaliation you lost your temper and punched her to the nose.

“She was put to the floor and you started to kick her – she was at that stage still a child.”

Smith was also made subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and was ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life.