A MAN was jailed and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' register for 10 years for having unlawful sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Jailing Robert Russell for 18 months, a judge told him the courts had a duty "to protect young girls from the attentions of middle-aged men".

Russell, aged 46, had got to know the teenager and her friends over several months and bought them cigarettes and alcohol.

He indecently assaulted the 14-year-old girl and later had sex with her and told her that if she did not keep coming to see him he would tell her mother she drank and smoked.

Russell, formerly of Hindley, appeared at Bolton Crown Court to be sentenced for indecent assault and unlawful sexual intercourse.

Maisie Burke, prosecuting, said Russell knew the girl's mother and sometimes used to baby sit for her.

He got to know the teenager and gave her sweets, cigarettes and beer. She used to visit him at home where he indecently assaulted her.

Then one day, when she was visiting him with some friends, he went upstairs followed by the girl.

She said he forced her on the bed and had sex with her. The girl kept on returning because Russell threatened to tell her mother she had been smoking and drinking.

Russell became jealous of the girl's 17-year-old boyfriend and at one stage sent her a letter saying he hit him.

When arrested, Russell told police that the sex had been consensual but he knew that she was too young.

Judge John Roberts said Russell had, as an adult, been in a position of trust and there were elements of "grooming" the child for sex.