Man avoids prison over online chats with underage girl

AN AMAZON worker began an online relationship with a vulnerable underage girl who sent him sexually explicit photographs of herself.

- By MARTIN NAYLOR

Nottingham Crown Court heard that 25-year-old Joshua Smith's behaviour was uncovered when the girl's father found messages on her phone and contacted the police.

Handing him a 16-month jail term, suspended for two years, Recorder Balraj Bhatia KC said: "You knew she was 14, you knew she was vulnerable and particularly vulnerable because she told you she had been sexually abused.

"It is plain you had a sexual interest in the victim and even though you had been to university, I accept you are emotionally immature."