A man groomed a teenager over social media and raped him in an ordeal lasting several hours.

Thomas Crabtree contacted the 13-year-old boy on Snapchat and repeatedly sent him sexually explicit images.

Crabtree, posing as a user called Will, arranged to meet the boy in Worthing on April 3, 2023, and picked him up in his car.

He drove him to a remote area near Goring Gap in Worthing and raped him.

The 35-year-old then drove the boy around in his car in silence before dropping him off in Worthing and returning to Bedford, where he lived.

The victim was subjected to an ordeal lasting several hours.

Snapchat data showed Crabtree blocked the boy and deleted all the messages between them before attempting to make contact again the following month.

The child reported to police and he and his family were given specialist support.

Crabtree, of Sundew Close in Bedford, was identified through the Snapchat account and arrested.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of rape; assault by penetration; meeting a child following sexual grooming; engaging in sexual communication with a child; causing a child to look at an image of sexual activity and taking a child to remove him from a person having lawful control.

Read more: Man let himself into unsuspecting woman's seaside flat to have sex with mistress

At Hove Crown Court on Wednesday Crabtree pleaded guilty to all counts and was remanded in custody.

He will appear at a court to be confirmed on September 12 for sentencing.

Detective Chief Inspector Carrie Williams said: “Thomas Crabtree is a predator who wilfully manipulated a young boy and took advantage of him in the most appalling way.

“This child suffered an unimaginable ordeal lasting several hours but has shown incredible courage and resilience to report to police and help bring his attacker to justice.

“I would like to thank him and his family for their determination and our partners in Bedfordshire Police and Norfolk  Constabulary for their support in bringing Crabtree into custody.

“If you are a victim of sexual offending, please report it to police online or via 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency. We will believe you, support you and do all we can you get you justice.”