Dad-of-four told vulnerable girl, 14, he wanted to marry her and have babies

COURT HEARS HE USED VICTIM FOR SEX AND HAS RUINED HER LIFE

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

A FATHER-of-four who had sex with a 14-year-old girl several times told her he wanted to marry her and have babies.

Dominic Vernon, now 43 and of no fixed address, lied to the girl about his age, telling her he was 31.

Nottingham Crown Court was told yesterday that Vernon “did not go out looking for sex” when he met his victim. The court heard his relation-ship with his wife was breaking down at the time of the offences in August 2023 and that he had been sleeping with escorts prior to this.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court to be sentenced, Vernon told Judge Julie Warburton: “It was a happenstance situation with her. I saw an opportunity to move on from my breaking down relationship.

“I never intended to put a child in danger or break the law. I am a peaceful family man. My family do not see me as a danger to them.”

Vernon had maintained his inno-cence throughout a trial at the same court, where a jury convicted him of inciting a child to commit a sexual act and eight counts of sexual activity with a child in March of this year.

Judge Warburton told the court that Vernon “invited” the girl “to have fun with him” and “bom-barded” her for 10 days after she gave him her phone number.