A man who sexually abused a teenage girl told her "if anyone finds out, say you instigated it."
Gary Austin, 35, started a paedophilic relationship with the teen, who was described as being vulnerable in court. Preston Crown Court heard that Austin, of Egerton in Skelmersdale, plied her with cider and convinced her she was in a "mutually loving" relationship with him.
Prosecuting, Lucy Worsley said the pervert began at a time when the girl was going through a fallout with some of her family. She said that Austin first kissed her when both he and the girl had been drinking.
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On that occasion, she pointed out her age, to which replied, "I don’t care." After the first sexual encounter, Austin didn’t speak to the girl for a short space of time before claiming not to remember what had happened but that he’d had a dream, Lancs Live reports.
The girl told him it wasn’t a dream and Austin said: "Don’t tell anyone. I don’t want anyone finding out but if they do say you instigated it." The victim eventually told a family member about what was happening after her father became concerned about her withdrawn behaviour.
The court heard that on one occasion, Austin lied about wearing a condom leading to the girl needing to take a morning after pill. It was also said that the pair would sneak to see each other at night and that Austin would watch her fall asleep. When they didn’t meet, they would stay on video calls until they slept.
Austin was found out when a family member convinced the girl to talk about what was bothering her. Separate concern had also been raised to a social worker when Austin’s own young daughter made reference to Austin putting the girl to bed.
Defending, Steven Flynn said that Austin was now remorseful for what he did and appreciated the impact he had caused to the girl. He said Austin’s mental health had deteriorated during the wait for the court hearing, with his drinking and cannabis use also increasing. Mr Flynn added that Austin has no previous convictions.
Sentencing, Judge Sara Dodd applied one third credit for guilty pleas and said she could not agree with the prosecution's argument that the case featured an element of grooming. She did however count the disparity in ages of around 20 years and the soliciting of images from the girl as aggravating factors.
Austin was handed a sentence of five years and eight months and handed a one-year sexual harm prevention order. He was also made subject of notification requirements - informally known as the sex offenders list - for life.
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