A MAN who continued to sleep with a teenaged girl after he had been issued with a Child Abduction Notice – detailing her age and warning him to stay away – has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Lee Hulme, 26, of Cromwell Road, Grimsby, admitted three counts of sexual activity with a child – two of which occurred while she was just 13-years-old – and one count of abducting a child.
Prosecuting, Simon Hirst told Grimsby Crown Court that the girl was known to social services and had been classed as being "vulnerable" to sexual exploitation from adults such as Hulme.
The court heard they had smoked cannabis together at his home and that he had persuaded her that, as they were in a relationship, it was "proper" that they had sex.
At one stage, the teen claimed he had even asked her to marry him.
Mr Hirst said her parents were very concerned about their relationship and had made it plain that they did not give their permission for Hulme to see or communicate with their daughter.
Humberside Police were also concerned for her wellbeing and the Child Abduction Notice was issued to him on June 27, 2013.
The order, which was also read to him to ensure he understood it, made it plain how old she was and that he would be committing an offence by having contact with her or allowing her into his home.
However, on July 31, 2013, the pair were spotted together by a relation and on August 2 she and another teenager took her infant niece to his house.
They were later seen leaving together and police followed them as they walked to a park, where they were confronted by the officers.
Hulme claimed they had bumped into each other in the park, but admitted the truth after the baby's changing bag was found at his home.
Mitigating, Richard Butters said the seriousness of the offences could not be denied but – while he in no way wished to imply his victim was to blame – that she had been the one to initiate contact with Hulme in every instance.
He said: "He has never committed offences of this kind before. This has been out of character in my submission."
He added that the pair had discussed contraception and that a condom had not been used, as she had arranged alternative contraception herself.
Mr Butters said: "The abduction was that he let her in when he knew he shouldn't, as he had been served the Child Abduction Notice.
"It was she who came to the defendant's house."
He added Hulme had expressed remorse, was bettering himself by taking all courses offered to him in prison while on remand and was "making positive plans" for his future.
Judge David Tremberg said the case had a "number of troubling factors" – not least that he had continued to have a sexual relationship with the girl after being officially warned his conduct was inappropriate.
He said: "It has long been recognised that some children are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and harm. This 13 to 14-year-old girl was such a child.
"By the age of 13 you were convincing her to come to your home and smoke cannabis and have full sex with you."
Hulme was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
The Sexual Offences Prevention Order imposed on Hulme prohibits him from:
Residing, entering or remaining in a structure used as a dwelling – including tents, motorhomes and caravans – with a female under the age of 16.
Allowing any female under the age of 16 to come into premises under his control.
Directly or indirectly contacting any female under the age of 16, unless to complete a retail transaction, or with written permission from children's services.
Directly or indirectly contacting his victim.
Possessing any device that can be used for messaging or internet searches unless the history is available for checking and nothing is deleted.
