A pervert has been brought to justice more than a decade after he was involved in a sexual relationship with a vulnerable teenage girl.
Patrick Edwards, 51, was jailed for seven and a half years after being found guilty of six offences of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.
A jury at Leeds Crown Court heard Edwards had sex with the youngster on multiple occasions over an eight-month period.
Edwards initially started a friendship with the teenager before grooming her for sex.
The court heard the victim later became “besotted” with Edwards.
He took advantage of her feelings for him by starting a sexual relationship with her.
Edwards, of Reginald Mount, Chapeltown, Leeds, was married and had a family at the time of the offending which took place during the mid 2000s.
Jailing Edwards, Recorder Simon Jackson, QC, said: “During this eight-month period you embarked on this criminal and sexually inappropriate relationship with this child. “Despite her age, you were in your late thirties and formed initially a friendship with her but the relationship turned sexual.”
Edwards had sex with the victim at a house in Leeds and in his car. The court heard the offending did not come to light until the victim reported the abuse to police years later.
Recorder Jackson said: “She became besotted with you. That was, I am satisfied, as a result of you grooming her. Grooming can take place in many ways, including providing emotional support. She became reliant upon you and that turned to sexual interest. “She was a young child and by law she was your victim from first to last.”
Edwards was also told he must go on the sex offender register for life.
