Mohsen Farjam was living in a tent near Stockport when he approached the 15-year-old victim, who was on her own in the town centre and appeared 'upset and in need of help'

A homeless man raped a vulnerable girl in a tent after pretending he wanted to help her when she appeared distressed in a town centre.

Mohsen Farjam was living in a tent near Stockport when he approached the 15-year-old victim, who was on her own. A court heard how the teenager has a neurodevelopmental condition and was approached by Farjam who saw she was "upset and in need of help".

The 43-year-old convinced the victim to get food with him nearby and charge her devices, telling her that he was homeless, Manchester Crown Court heard. Police said the man had "pretended to offer her sympathy and support" but was actually grooming her.

Farjam then plied the underage victim with vodka at his tent and began to touch her despite telling her that she "looked nervous". He went on to sexually assault the 15-year-old and rape her. The victim was able to leave the tent after the attack and told a relative who informed the police.

Farjam was arrested within hours but denied the allegations when questioned, telling police he saw the victim in a vulnerable state and "took her back to the tent for a massage".

The 43-year-old, of no fixed abode, was found guilty on two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one of sexual assault by penetration. He was sentenced on March 5 and jailed for nine-and-a-half years. Farjam was also placed on the sex offender's register for life.

Detective Sergeant Rob Griffiths, from GMP’s Stockport Complex safeguarding team, said: "I firstly want to commend the victim in this case, who endured this horrific crime aged just 15-years-old. They have been incredibly brave throughout the court process and are getting continual support by professionals - I hope that they can continue to heal following this awful ordeal.

"Farjam exploited vulnerabilities for his own sickening gratification, and it is utterly grim that he tried to disguise his intentions by pretending to want to help a child in need. Instead, he got her drunk and exploited her as part of his vile actions. I am glad that he is now finally behind bars for his crimes."