Man jailed for grooming and abusing 13-year-old

Matthew Whiteley was locked up for three years after a court heard how the teenage victim became suicidal and suffered serious psychological harm as a result of the abuse.

Leeds Crown Court heard Whiteley was aged 27 when he groomed the youngster and performed sex acts on her.

The 37-year-old, now of Church Street, Paddock, Huddersfield pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child.

Michael Greenhalgh, prosecuting, said the victim went to police as an adult and reported that Whiteley had performed sex acts on her when she was underage.

The victim later withdrew her support for the prosecution, saying she wanted to move on with her life.

Police and prosecutors pursued the case based on Whiteley's own admissions.

When interviewed by police, Whiteley said he knew the victim when she was aged 13 and he was aged 27.

He told officers that he had kissed her 'out of the blue' one day in his house and told her he liked her as 'more than a friend' before starting a relationship with her.

The victim called the relationship off after a few weeks, saying it was wrong.

A few weeks after that, she said she wanted to try again and they began seeing each other again.

Whiteley admitted having sexual contact with the girl.

He said he had spoken to the teenager about 'settling down' and having children when she finished school.

She later ended the relationship, saying she did not love him anymore.

Whiteley said he did not see her again until a few months later.

The defendant went on to be convicted of having indecent images of children.

The court heard the abuse caused severe harm to the victim who went on to have chronic psychological problems involving an attempt to take her own life .

Judge Rodney Jameson QC said the offending featured grooming behaviour and an abuse of trust.

Catherine Silverton, mitigating, said her client feels 'sick inside' about his behaviour and had not offended in years.