Man in court charged with schoolgirl rape

A MAN has appeared in court charged with raping a 15-year-old girl as she made her way to school.

Paul Jones (47), of Herringthorpe Valley Road, Rotherham, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (November 19).

Jones was charged on Friday with rape, engaging in sexual activity in front of a child and possession of a knife used to threaten in a public place.

Detectives arrested him last Thursday following the rape of a schoolgirl in Canklow on Monday, November 14, at 8.30am.

Jones has also been charged with engaging in sexual activity in front of a child and attempting to incite sexual activity with a child in connection to an offence in June 2011 in Clifton involving an 11-year-old girl.

Jones did not enter any pleas and will next appear at Sheffield Crown Court on December 19.

He has been remanded in custody.