A MAN who sexually abused a teenager has been jailed for four years and nine months.

In what was described as a ‘harrowing case’, Preston Crown Court heard how Michael William Harvey, 60, of Rockcliffe Lane, Bacup, sexually assaulted the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in a ‘number of ways’.

Prosecuting Emma Kehoe said the abuse began when the victim was just 16 and started with ‘inappropriate touching’.

The court heard the victim ‘freaked out’ but Harvey put the incident down to a ‘misunderstanding’ and said it would not happen again.

But Ms Kehoe said it was the prosecution case that it did happen again and mostly after Harvey had asked for hugs.

The prosecutor said: “The abuse began when Michael Harvey would ask for a hug. She would hug him and he would touch her bottom. He would do this initially over her clothing. Sometimes he would slide his hands down the back of her pants. He would make inappropriate comments.”

Ms Kehoe said Harvey then progressed to moving his hands up the victim’s top and under her underwear.

On other occasions he kissed the complainant on the mouth.

The court heard that when the victim told the victim to stop his unwanted behaviour Harvey said that if she told anyone about the abuse there would be consequences.

Ms Kehoe said that the last incident happened last year when Harvey attempted to pull the complainant’s leggings down and told her he wanted to see her underwear.

Ms Kehoe said: “He made a comment about her bottom. For the complainant this was the last straw. She told the defendant she had had enough.”

Following that incident the victim confided in her mother and the police were contacted.

Harvey denies nine counts of sexual activity with a child and 10 sexual assaults but was found guilty after a trial at Burnley Crown Court.

Harvey was ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register for life and an indefinite restraining order was made banning him from contacting the victim.

Speaking after the case PC Andy Marston, of the police public protection unit, said: “This was a particularly harrowing case and we are satisfied with the sentence handed down today at court. The victim showed great bravery in reporting the offences and supporting a prosecution and we hope the outcome gives her some comfort and enables her to move forward with her life.

“We hope it also sends the message that this type of crime will not be tolerated in Lancashire and that any victim of a sexual offence should report it to us safe in the knowledge they will be taken seriously and will be treated compassionately and sensitively at all times.”