A dad sexually abused a schoolgirl less than half his age after grooming her on Snapchat, a court heard today.
James Prytherch worked as a delivery driver and after exchanging various text messages and conversations on Snapchat, which became increasingly sexualised, he began collecting her in his van.
The 33-year-old, who lived with his partner and children, drove the girl, whom he knew was a 14-year-old, to secluded locations during the school summer holidays.
The court heard they engaged in sexual activity, eventually culminating in unprotected sexual intercourse.
Keith Sutton, prosecuting, said that the offences came to light after the girl confided in a friend who told school staff and social services and police were alerted.
Prytherch, who has no previous convictions, had told the child he lived in shared accommodation and spoke of her getting a key to his home - but he was actually living with his family.
Prytherch, of Cheviot Avenue, St Helens , was jailed for six years after admitting 16 sexual offences between July 24 and September 5.
Sentencing him Judge Garrett Byrne said that the defendant had not tried to minimise his behaviour and recognised he had been motivated only by his own sexual gratification.
Judge Byrne said: “You gave no thought to the emotional consequences on this young woman and her family.”
He ordered him to sign the Sexual Offences Register for life and imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Mr Sutton had told Liverpool Crown Court that Prytherch began chatting on line with the girl and they became flirty and she was flattered that someone of his age was attracted to her.
They began swapping photographs, initially of them clothed, but later intimate pictures and he told her she was his first under-age girl.
He began picking her up in his van and began taking her to secluded locations for sexual activity.
Prytherch, who sent her links to pornographic material, discussed how they would meet after she returned to school but after she confided in a friend social services were contacted on September 4.
While a social worker was talking to her, the defendant texted her and he became concerned when he realised she was taking screen shots of the messages and trying to use a Snapchat map to locate him, said Mr Sutton.
Stuart Nolan, defending, said that Prytherch had pleaded guilty and is genuinely remorseful.
He said: “He realises he has caused lasting damage to her and her family and himself and his family.”
