A LYE man who raped a schoolgirl after she had been drinking vodka has been jailed for six years and eight months.

Saham Amin, aged 21, of Balds Lane, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court today (Thursday February 19) after pleading guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Amin preyed on the teenager for around a year before the assault, when they came into contact through a mutual friend.

On 24 September 2014, Amin texted her and asked if she wanted to go to his house for a “drinking session”.

The teen and a 13-year-old girl, who also went along to Amin’s house, were then given two thirds of a litre bottle of vodka and cigarettes.

Amin, who had been drinking that day, "took advantage of the situation" - Malcolm Morse, prosecuting, told the court.

He then carried out the sex attack on the 14-year-old girl while the younger girl was present.

The former factory worker initially denied the allegations but eventually admitted the offences in light of the medical evidence and the girls’ testimonies against him.

He will also be placed upon the Sex Offender Register for life and was made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Offenders Protection Order barring him from ever working with children.

Jas Mann, defending, maintained Amin, a young man of previous good character, had not deliberately targeted the 14 year old schoolgirl.

He said: “To his enduring shame he took advantage of the situation against a victim who was vulnerable. He genuinely was affected by drink at the time.

Mr Mann said he quickly accepted what he had done was wrong and that it had badly affected the two girls and he added: “He had lead a blameless life and he indulged in far too much alcohol.”

Judge Robin Onions said he did not think Amin “intended to rape” the girl but he added: “It is clear alcohol lead to you committing this offence.

“You raped this girl when she was physically unable to consent. She had lost the capacity to make an informed choice about what was going on. She was particularly vulnerable because of the drink you supplied.”

Detective Sergeant Kay Redfern, from the forces public protection unit, said: "This was a complex case involving two very scared girls and - as with most victims of child sexual exploitation - they were reluctant to give details at first as they were fearful of repercussions.

"However, through a series of sensitively carried out interviews with specialist officers, we were able to gain their trust and their cooperation, which was vital in securing the conviction against Amin.

"I would like to thank them for their bravery and I hope this sentence goes some way in helping them move forward with their young lives.

"We are satisfied with the sentence handed to Amin, which sees him taken out of the community for a considerable time and unable to exploit other young girls.

"Sexual abuse is an abhorrent crime which we are committed to stamping out.”