Finlay Rayner, 24, of Maple Grove, Prescot, has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl he met on Snapchat. The crimes began when Rayner was 20 years old, initiating sexual intercourse with the victim via the messaging app, which later escalated into physical sexual activity.
Victim Impact Statement
In a statement read at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, June 24, the victim described the lasting trauma: “Since the incident I struggle to be around men. This can be in any situation when men are in the room, I feel really panicky. This has also impacted my education as I have had to leave due to panic attacks during the day. I received counselling also for six months.” She added: “Prior to this I would go out every day, at first I wouldn't go out at all, I go out more recently but nothing like I used to. I have a lot more stress in my life now, when I go out I feel unsafe and need to call someone when I am walking home.”
Sentence and Restrictions
Rayner was also placed on the Sexual Offenders Register indefinitely and given a 10-year restraining order prohibiting any contact with the victim. Detective Constable Elena Owen of Merseyside Police said: “I hope this sentence provides some comfort in knowing they did the right thing to report Rayner’s heinous crime to us. Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm, and we take all such reports extremely seriously.”
Support and Reporting
Police urged anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to come forward. Specialist support is available through the NSPCC (0808 800 5000), Childline (0800 1111), and local charities. In Liverpool, Sefton, and Wirral, Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside can be reached on 0151 558 1801. In St Helens and Knowsley, the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside is available on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
