Pilot who was arrested after landing a flight jailed for raping a child

A pilot who was arrested for child rape after he landed a flight at Manchester Airport has been jailed.

Tevin McLeod, 28, was arrested on 7 September and charged the next day with the rape and sexual assault of a child under 13.

Birmingham Crown Court heard he had sent a number of messages to the girl acknowledging the abuse in a bid to stop her reporting the crimes, after he initially denied the claims.

In the messages, McLeod, from Birmingham, said his reputation would be tarnished if people found out about the incidents, which happened between 2015 and 2016.

He also told the girl he would lose his career as a pilot and go to jail.

His mug shot, issued by West Midlands Police, appeared to show him still in his uniform.

McLeod admitted to the rape and sexual assault and was jailed on Friday 8 November.

He was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on his release.

DC Stewart Garratt, from West Midlands Police's Birmingham Child Abuse Public Protection Team, said: “For a child to speak out and report sexual abuse is a huge deal for them and I commend the bravery of this young girl for confiding in someone.

“It’s for these sorts of crimes involving children that we have a dedicated specialist department with officers specially trained to help young people through the judicial process.

"I’ve no doubt that the voice of this child has stopped other children being targeted.”