Bristol man jailed for 'grooming' teenager

A Fishponds man who "groomed and seduced" a 14-year-old girl into having sex and also had indecent images of youngsters has been jailed for three years.

Carer Paul Herneman befriended the girl and struck up a relationship with her over the internet, Bristol Crown Court heard yesterday.

Initially, he denied any wrongdoing but then admitted having unprotected intercourse with her.

Herneman, aged 36, of Thicket Avenue, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child as well as 17 charges of possessing indecent images.

Ian Fenny, prosecuting, told the court that after taking her on drives, Herneman had sex with her once. The secret was out when the girl's brother found intimate pictures of her amongst her text messages.

The girl's mother called in police, and when they searched his computer they found he had 277 video and still images of youngsters as young as three being sexually abused.

Imposing the jail term Judge Jamie Tabor QC said Herneman had "groomed and seduced" the girl.

He said: "You did it for your own lust and you took advantage of her."