A sex offender who pretended to be a police officer and kidnapped a girl has been convicted.

David Young, 33, wore a high-vis jacket and used a fake police badge to lure a 14-year-old to a secluded area in Crawley in October 2021.

After searching the girl’s bag, coat and blazer, Young let her leave - but after being spotted the next day he was found with latex gloves, lubricant and a packet of condoms.

Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, Young was found guilty of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Jayne Cioffi, senior crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was clearly a traumatic experience for a young girl on her way to school.

“David Young went to great lengths to make himself look to the untrained eye like a police officer, so that he could lure a child away for his own depraved needs.

“A convicted sexual offender, he was already prohibited by law from approaching any children, such was the danger he was considered to pose to them.

“We understand the trauma felt by the victim and commend her bravery in supporting this prosecution. I hope this guilty verdict provides some comfort to her and her family.”

Following the incident, the girl and her mother alerted the police and later spotted the man on his bike the next day.

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Young later was involved in a collision with a car but continued to cycle up the road before disposing of the gloves, lubricant and condoms.

After he was arrested, police linked the condoms and lubricant to Young via DNA evidence and also found plastic handcuffs and a stab vest.

He also had LED light on his bike which looked similar to a police siren.

Young previously pleaded guilty to kidnapping and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The order was imposed after he was found guilty of rape and other sexual offences in 2012.

He is due to be sentenced on May 12 at a court yet to be determined.