Locations
Kingsley Drive, Willerby, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU10
Description
An ice skating enthusiast took advantage of a trusting 15-year-old girl after their budding friendship turned into a completely unsuitable relationship.
Rhys Burton showered her with compliments and they gradually became closer before he moved in on her and kissed her, making her feel uncomfortable. The law was there to protect vulnerable young girls from getting into difficult sexual situations that they could not control or "extricate" themselves from, Hull Crown Court heard.
Burton, 24, of Kingsley Drive, Willerby, admitted two offences of sexual activity with a child in 2018. He originally denied the matter but changed his pleas on the day of a scheduled trial.
Michael Greenhalgh, prosecuting, said that Burton got to know the teenage girl through an interest in ice skating in Hull and he complimented her during conversations with her and social gatherings in May 2018. "He was friendly to her," said Mr Greenhalgh.
Burton hugged her and later kissed the girl. He knew that she was only 15. The girl was "upset" after sexual contact from Burton, Mr Greenhalgh said.
Rachel Scott, mitigating, said that Burton had no previous convictions and the sexual activity took place nearly five years ago. "He fully accepts his behaviours and he hasn't tried to hide from his behaviour at all," said Miss Scott.
Burton did the wrong thing but did later end the relationship because he knew it was not right, the court heard. "He realises just how stupid his behaviour was and how much harm that he has caused," said Miss Scott. "He thought he was in love with her.
"He thought his feelings were genuine. He accepts that it was a relationship that he should never have entered into in the first place."
The girl was willingly involved with Burton and it was not a case of him grooming her. Burton started taking cocaine at the age of 16 to cope with his emotions. He had been working full-time.
Judge Kate Rayfield told Burton: "The law is there to protect young people from engaging in sexual activity. Even though she went along with the sexual activity, she felt uncomfortable.
"Young people get into situations that they don't know how to handle or control or how to extricate themselves from and that was exactly what happened to her. These instances have stayed with her and had an impact on her.
"Ultimately, you did the right thing and called off the relationship. She did not feel in control of what was happening to her and that was because of the differences in your ages."
Burton was given a 22-month suspended prison sentence, 20 days' rehabilitation and a sex offender treatment programme. He was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will have to register as a sex offender for 10 years.