A former ambulance "Gold Commander" who raped a 12-year-old girl in Wirral after grooming her via an internet chat room, was jailed for eight years today.

Adrian Crowe was described by a judge as “a sexual predator”.

“This case represents what must be every parent’s worst nightmare” said Judge Alan Conrad, QC.

“This vulnerable girl was enticed to meet you and it must have been obvious having seen her photograph and still further meeting her face to face she was of an age where she could not properly consent to sex,” he added.

"You were engaging in very risky behaviours, going to chat rooms on the internet and chatting to other young girls. You followed it though on this occasion.”

40-year-old Crowe, an ex-Army veteran, was Gold Commander involved in liaising between with police and fire service for incidents including the Birmingham prison riot, said defence barrister Ben Jones.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Crowe, of Kirkdale Road, Coventry, had pleaded guilty to rape and meeting a child following sexual grooming.

Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, told the court that Crowe, who has no previous convictions, met the girl via a chat room and they exchanged flirtatious and sexually explicit messages during the week leading up to their meeting.

She also sent him photographs of herself though her face was partly obscured but referred to herself as being at school.

When interviewed by police he said she had claimed to be 17.

On June 19 he came over to Merseyside to meet her and he drove her to Meols where they had sex in a field.

She later told relatives that she had been dragged into his car at knifepoint but later admitted the truth.

The court heard that he had had conversations with other youngsters via the chat room in which he identified himself as being 40 and he had asked one girl: “Are you legal or jail bait?”

Miss Snowdon said that the victim “feels guilty, embarrassed and confused. She feels everyone knows at school and is talking about her.”

The judge imposed an extra 12 months licence on Crowe, ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Ben Jones, defending, said that Crowe, who appeared via video link from prison, accepted the offences were of “extreme gravity.”

He had been in a high-pressured job and had a stable relationship with his partner who is standing by him.

He had been on high dose anti-depressants for many years and being suddenly taken off them seemed to have affected his personality.

He has been using his time on remand in prison constructively, having signed up for courses and is a “listener” for other prisoners.

Detective Sergeant John Harrison from Merseyside Police Public Protection Unit said: "We welcome today's sentence. The victim in this case has shown an immense amount of bravery coming forward.

"Merseyside Police takes every report of sexual offences extremely seriously, whether or not they are recent or historic, and has dedicated officers who are specially trained to both thoroughly investigate allegations and make sure that those reporting them are properly supported.

"Special measures can put in place during the court process to make sure that the victims are supported every step of the way.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that reports are properly and thoroughly investigated."

Merseyside Police encourage people to visit www.listentomystory.co.uk to find out more on reporting sexual offences.

People can call officers in the force's specialist Unity team on 0151 777 1382.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.