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A MANIPULATIVE paedophile groomed a teenage girl by giving her cannabis before going on to have sex with her.
Preston Crown Court heard how Sean Devitt, of no fixed address but who formerly lived in Burnley and Blackburn, was already serving a six-year prison sentence for sexual offences involving another under-age girl when the latest charges came to light.
Prosecutor Lisa Worsley said the teenage victim, who was at that point in a relationship with Devitt, saw footage on his SD card of a child getting undressed and realised she was a victim of abuse herself.
Miss Worsley said the grooming started when Devitt, now 34, would give the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, cannabis.
The court heard that on one occasion after they had both smoked cannabis the pair kissed.
The following week a full sexual relationship started despite Devitt being 26-years-old and knowing his victim was a lot younger.
Miss Worsley said Devitt would meet the girl after school and walk her to a furniture store where they would occasionally have sex upstairs.
The court heard the victims mother became suspicious of the relationship which resulted in constant arguments that eventually forced the victim to move out of her family home.
Miss Worsley said that on one occasion Devitt filmed himself having sex with the girl, with her consent, and that the relationship had briefly ended when she discovered he had a sexually transmitted disease.
The relationship did eventually come to an end when the victim found the video of the child.
Miss Worsley said at that point Devitt phoned his mother from prison and attempted to get her to threaten the victim if she didnt withdraw her complaints to the police.
In a victim impact statement read out by Miss Worsley the victim spoke of how Devitt had ruined her life.
Miss Worsley said: She says Sean Devitt controlled her. He cut her off from her family.
She regards him as clever and someone who manipulated what she did.
She finds it really difficult to trust people now, particularly men. She feels like theyre all paedophiles and is concerned she wont ever have a relationship.
Devitt pleaded guilty to 13 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and one of making phone call from prison with intent to pervert the course of justice.
Defending Simon Gurney said his client realised the impact his offending has had on his victim.
Describing Devitts offending as serious Judge Andrew Woolman imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and banned him from contacting the victim.
He was jailed for five years at a hearing yesterday.