Man jailed for sex with a schoolgirl

Michael Wilkinson, now 24, groomed and prepared the child for sex by playfighting and flirting. He was only caught out when the girl had to undergo the trauma of an abortion and tests revealed he was the father, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Judge Barbara Watson told Wilkinson he had deprived the victim of her childhood and distorted her sexual values. The judge said she accepted he had shown some remorse for his behaviour, even though his limited abilities meant he did not understand some of the impact of it on the girl.

Judge Watson, who added the defendant clearly needed help and support to bring about a change in his attitude, went on: "The victim was a very young child and this has had a very serious effect upon her.

"Young girls are particularly vulnerable to older men and the sentence is designed not only to punish you for these serious offences, but to deter others."

Wilkinson, of Charles Lane, Haslingden, admitted four counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and one of indecent assault.

He was also put on the Sex Offenders' Register and banned from working with children.

The victim, who told police what the defendant had done to her was "horrible", thought she might be pregnant and went to see a teacher, who advised her to see a nurse. Her pregnancy was confirmed and at first the victim lied, claiming a boy her own age was the father.

Prosecuting, Mark Lamberty said when Wilkinson was interviewed by police, he at first had nothing to say. After the unborn child was aborted, tests proved the defendant was the father. He was later questioned again and admitted he had had an association with the girl.

The prosecutor added although Wilkinson had an "extensive record," he had no previous convictions for sex offences and had never been to prison.

Michael Lavery, defending, said at the time of the offences, Wilkinson was suffering from a number of difficulties, not least his consumption of alcohol and substance misuse.