File photo: rape

A pervert pastor tried to rape an underage girl – then said the child’s ‘demons’ had provoked him into the sex attack, police say.

Octavio Cantarero, 42, reportedly targeted the vulnerable girl in January after offering her a room at his Iglesia Pentecostal Principe De Paz church in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Canterero is said to have provided the girl with a single bed in a private room – then reportedly announced that they would both sleep there together.

That night, the child – whose age was not released by police – woke up to find Cantarero trying to rape her, according to NBC4.

She was able to resist his alleged advances, with Cantarero reportedly telling the child ‘that her demons had provoked him.’ Cantarero is then said to have pleaded with the girl not to tell anyone about what had happened.

The girl reported the alleged assault to police in May, with Cantarero finally turning himself into police last Saturday after a warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this month.

He has been charged with a fourth-degree sex attack, as well as attempted second-degree rape of a minor. Cantarero is being held without bail ahead of his next court appearance.

Source: Metro.co.uk