A BURSLEDON man has received a near ten year prison sentence after manipulating a vulnerable teenage girl into having an affair with him.


A BURSLEDON man has received a near ten year prison sentence after manipulating a vulnerable teenage girl into having an affair with him.

Andrew Bailey told the 14-year-old he was trustworthy and could give her advice when she told of a problematic relationship.

But Southampton Crown Court heard they had regular sex after she became ‘besotted’ with him.

At one stage, her distraught mother contacted the police who arrested him. After he refused to answer any questions about their relationship in interview, he was bailed on the strict understanding he must not contact her.

But Judge Peter Henry heard Bailey deliberated flouted the order, bombarding her with messages and making sure they would not be seen together in areas covered by security cameras.

Now the judge has branded the 27-year-old – who had two previous convictions for sex offences – as being a high risk of causing harm to girls, particularly those between 14 and 16.

”I have no doubt you are a dangerous person,” said the judge. “You must understand a child of 14 is still a child and vulnerable to the advances of adults who prey on them and cause them enormous damage.”

Prosecutor Charles Gabb aid the affair between the pair developed quickly after they had met in Eastleigh, and they first had sex on the former Eastleigh golf course.

Bailey knew her age but they still had a full sexual relationship without either taking any precautions.

Her mother however was increasingly suspicious of what was going on and her daughter became devious, trying to fob her off. Following advice, she contacted the police and Bailey was arrested However he was released with a child abduction notice and a warning not to contact her or any other girl under 16. Instead he ignored it, with each contacting the other and with him leaving 100 hundreds of messages a day.

They also deliberately went to places not covered cameras or CCTV so they would not be seen together.

Mr Gabb said they had talked about living together, getting married and having children, but it ended when she saw him with another 14-year-old. She collapsed, an ambulance was called and the police became involved.

Of the relationship, Mr Bagg commented: “She was besotted with him and the defendant got what he wanted, doing all he could to avoid detection so she remained on board with him.”

In an impact statement, the girl recognised she had been used and betrayed. She had been vulnerable and he had taken advantage of it. “He controlled me and took my away from my family and friends. I now realise he manipulated me from day one.”

Bailey, of Oak Road, Bursledon, admitted two counts of having sexual activity with a child and one of causing girl to engage in sexual activity.
The judge jailed him for 56 months with a five year extended licence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register and made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order, limiting his access to the internet and banning him from seeing the victim and being alone with any girl under 16. Both were ordered to run indefinitely.
In mitigation, Keely Harvey said by pleading guilty, Bailey had spared her the ordeal of giving evidence before a jury