A SEX offender from Merseyside has been jailed after committing sexual offences against "vulnerable" teenager from Bury. 

Kyle Jago, 24, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to several sexual offences against a 15-year-old girl from Bury.

Jago, of Higher Road, Halewood, met the victim on social media in May this year, before arranging to meet her in person later that month.

The defendant proceeded to groom the girl and engage in inappropriate sexual behaviour, including exchanging sexually explicit images.

Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, told the court that Jago travelled with the victim from Manchester Piccadilly rail station to a park in Bury on three occasions.

On the third occasion, the court heard the victim has sex with the defendant in a nearby wooded area.

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Mr Cadwallader described the girl, who has additional learning needs, anxiety and depression, as “immature and extremely vulnerable".

He said: “It shows how successful he was at grooming her.”

“She was besotted by him and wanted to marry him.”

Jago was arrested on June 22 this year at his home after the victim’s mother found sexually explicit images on her daughter’s phone.

Jago was transferred to Bury Police Station where he was interviewed by members of Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Child Sexual Exploitation Team. 

Through her victim impact statement, the victim's mother told the court her daughter was “trusting of all the wrong people".

She said: “Since the sexual assault and grooming, she is no longer trusting of people.

“She finds it hard to trust what I say.

“Our relationship has been set back.”

Mark Shanks, defending, told the court that Jago deserved credit for pleading guilty to the charges at the earliest opportunity.

He told the court that Jago had suffered a difficult start to life and has been unable to access adequate mental health support while in prison.

He said: “He has begun his life in a very, very difficult and chaotic way.”

“Since he has been in prison he has been threatened.”

“To say he has not had a good time of it is an understatement.”

Judge Tina Landale jailed Jago for four years and made a restraining order for him not to contact the victim and her mother.

Addressing him, Judge Landale said: “You contacted [the victim] on social media and you knew she was 15 from the very beginning.

“Your corruption and grooming of her were so skilful that she became besotted with you.”

Jago is now subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has also been ordered to sign the sex offender’s register for life.

Detective Sergeant Ben Harris, of Bury’s Complex Safeguarding Team said: “We are pleased with today’s sentencing result.

"This is another example of GMP getting those who target children off the street.

“There’s nothing more important than protecting Greater Manchester’s young people from harm.

"Our district’s complex safeguarding teams are here to build strong and positive relationships with victims and young people who are at risk from child sexual exploitation (CSE), support them into adulthood and help change their futures.

“We are supported by partner agencies and support services, who do invaluable work in helping us get sexual predators off the street.

"If you, or anyone you know, is a victim of this type of crime, we encourage you to contact us either by dialling 101 or through our LiveChat facility on our website, www.gmp.police.uk.

"We can assure you that you will be listened to and supported.”