19-year-old had sex with a 14-year-old girl.

19-Year-Old Sentenced to 12 Months Custody for Sexual Activity with a Child

Grant Pearson, 19, of Aintree Road, South Shore, was sentenced to 12 months in custody at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to two charges of sexual activity with a child.

The court heard that Pearson had met a 14-year-old girl by accident at a bus stop and had subsequently engaged in sexual activity with her on two occasions.

Prosecutor Hanifa Patel stated that Pearson was fully aware of the girl's age. The girl's mother later discovered what had transpired and contacted the police.

Defense attorney Janet Ironfield argued that Pearson accepted full responsibility for his actions and did not attempt to blame the girl. She claimed there was "genuine affection" between the two and their interactions on Facebook were primarily "flirtatious."

The court also heard about Pearson's difficult past, including the death of his mother when he was 13 and his father's subsequent imprisonment in Singapore. Judge Andrew Woolman acknowledged these mitigating circumstances in his sentencing.

Judge Woolman stated: "You had very troubled years. I recognize there is very profound mitigation in your case."