Sexual activity with a child.

A 31-year-old man, Alexander Caple, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Caple, of Helston Close, Burnley, admitted to two offences of sexual activity with a child after being arrested and confessing to the crimes.

The court heard that Caple had threatened the girl, telling her not to report the abuse, but she confided in a schoolfriend and her mother. The police were immediately alerted.

In a victim impact statement, the girl revealed that the assault had left her struggling to sleep and crying at night. Her grades suffered as she struggled to concentrate in school and was even sent home for falling asleep in class.

The court also heard that Caple had groped the girl over her clothing before committing a more serious sexual assault.

In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Phillip Parry imposed a 12-year sexual harm prevention order.