A MAN who had sex with a 14-year-old girl has been jailed.

Christopher Raymond Brown, 48, of Burnley Road, Bacup, was told he must serve a minimum of three-and-a-half years in jail after being convicted at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.

He was found guilty of two offences of sexual activity with a child, one count of escaping from lawful custody, six counts of abduction and five counts of offering to supply controlled a drug.

Brown was also issued with a sex offenders’ prevention order, was disqualified from working with children for life and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register.

Police said the girl’s mother had contacted them in January 2007 saying she was concerned that her daughter had been spending a lot of time with Brown.

Officers went to his address and gave him a warning notice, informing him that the girl was under 16 and by spending time with her he was at risk of being prosecuted for abduction.

The following month police contacted the girl, who was from Oldham, and examined her mobile phone. They discovered that she had been in contact with Brown, who was subsequently arrested.

Police said as Brown was taken to the police car he tried to escape from custody but was not able to do so. A further search of his home uncovered some amphet-amine paste.

In an interview the girl told police that Brown knew her age, she had a sexual relationship with him and he had given her alcohol and what she believed to be amphetamines, according to Greater Manchester Police.

Detective Sergeant Alison Troisi from Oldham’s Oper-ation Messenger team said: “Despite being told this girl’s age, Brown continued to stay in contact with her. This girl wanted to be treated like an adult and Brown took advantage.

“As is often the case, this child did not initially recognise she was a victim. She thought Brown was her friend and she trusted him, but he abused this trust.

“Men like this who prey on the vulnerable need to be stopped.

“I would ask anyone who has any concerns about children who they believe may be at risk of this type of abuse to contact the police.”