A judge has sentenced a man to five years in prison for sexually abusing an underage girl and supplying her with cannabis.

Sami Brek, 33, was found guilty of two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15. The court heard that Brek had groomed the girl and targeted her for his "own sexual gratification."

Recorder Dafydd Enoch KC said that Brek's claim that the girl was "throwing herself" at him was "wholly unimpressed" and that Brek should have known better than to engage in sexual activity with a child.

"Children can behave in an inappropriate way sometimes, but more reason for you to treat them as what they are, which is a child," said Recorder Enoch KC. "You knew that you were developing a sexual attraction for her."

Brek's lawyer, David Ward, said that Brek has now admitted his guilt and presents as a "pleasant and polite" man, but is immature and had a very poor upbringing.

Recorder Enoch KC added that Brek had "facilitated his sexual abuse of her by plying her with cannabis that made her less able to resist him when he decided to make his advances towards her."

Brek was also placed on the sex offender's register indefinitely and given a sexual harm prevention order for a period of 10 years.

Cleveland Police Detective Constable Pulman praised the victim for her courage in reporting the crimes and said that Brek can now no longer harm any other children.