A TEENAGER is behind bars after admitting raping a 12-year-old girl and possessing indecent images of children.

Mark Cox, aged 19, formerly of Manchester Road, Bury, cried at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday as he was sentenced to three years in a young offenders institution.

He admitted 15 charges, including 12 counts of possessing explicit photographs of children.

The court heard how in October 2012, aged 17, Cox began messaging the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and pressurised her into sending indecent pictures of her to him.

He then invited the girl — who was only 12 years old — to his home in Manchester Road, where he raped her.

The crime came to light when the child went to a sexual-health clinic with a friend and staff uncovered the crime.

After being arrested by police, Cox was discovered to have indecent images of children on his mobile phone, including one with a girl thought to be as young as 11.

The court heard how Cox had an unhealthy and "immature" interest in young girls.

Judge Peter Davies said his sentence was an "exercise of mercy", and had Cox been aged over 18 when he committed the offences, he would have faced a much lengthier sentence.

He told Cox: "You were 17 and she had just passed her 12th birthday.

"I'm not sure you knew she was under 13, but I am sure you did not care.

"To have sexual intercourse, because of her age, she was not capable of consent.

"Within one month of discovering her age, you nonetheless carried on contacting her.

"She felt used and violated."

Cox, now of Pansy Street South, Accrington, was given three years' custody for raping a child under the age of 13, and 15 months for inciting a girl under the 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He was also given a three-month sentence for 12 charges of possessing indecent images of children.

Cox will service the sentences concurrently.

He was also given a sexual offences prevention order for 10 years.