A man raped a young teenage girl after plying her with alcohol in a "disgraceful" attack.

Late last year, Simon McCormick drank vodka and gin with the victim in Prestwich and told her to have more alcohol even when she said she had drunk enough, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Helena Williams said the victim was later sick and fell asleep before waking and realising that McCormick was raping her.

The attack was reported to police before McCormick, who was arrested in February in Dorset for allegedly carrying a blade, was questioned. 

He initially told police that no sexual activity took place, the court heard, but evidence was found which contradicted his claim.

He later pleaded guilty to three counts of rape of a child under 16.

A statement from the victim’s mum to McCormick was read out in court, which said: “This event is the most horrendous thing we will have to deal with.

“Your actions have caused my daughter to go through the most terrible events.

“I know you feel no guilt shame or remorse, you’re the worst kind of human.”

Michael Johnson, defending, said McCormick had no previous convictions of a nature involving sexual assault or children.

He said the incident was a singular episode and did not happen over a sustained period of time.

McCormick, 34, of no fixed address, suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, ADHD and anxiety which has affected his life and well-being.

Mr Johnson said: “This incident can be seen as out of character for him.”

Judge Mark Savill said: “You’re now 34 and I’m satisfied you had a traumatic and difficult childhood and upbringing through no fault of your own.

“You became involved with drugs, and the mental disorder came about from drug use.

“It seems following the onset of illness you were admitted to a psychiatric unit and detained for a number of years before being discharged.”

But Judge Savill added: “This was a disgraceful set of activities.

“You deliberately targeted the victim."

McCormick was sentenced to five years and 10 months and will be on the sex offenders list for an indefinite amount of time.