A MAN who had sex with a teenage girl while she was in his care and ‘vulnerable’ was told by a judge that it was his responsibility to defend her and that he faced a prison sentence of at least one year.

James Dalley 27, of Wyndhams, Wiveliscombe, pleaded guilty to two offences of sexual activity and abuse of trust with a girl who was ‘going to a particular school because she had problems at home and wanted a fresh start’, Taunton Crown Court was told.

She was living in private accommodation in April last year and met Dalley, who was then 25, while he was working for the company, said Nikki Coombe, prosecuting.

He was complimentary, referred to her as ‘his favourite’ and they spent a day together, visiting a car boot sale and a riding stables. He asked her sexual questions and whether she watched pornography, and spoke of his own relationships.

They went to an address where they had consensual intercourse in a bedroom. She was on the pill and reassured him she would not tell anyone what had happened. They drove back to the care home and had dinner before driving to a layby where they parked and had intercourse again on the back seat of the car.

He drove back to the care home where they had a disagreement and she was upset, and the following day he sent a message to his employer saying he had to leave.

The girl was encouraged to tell the police and Dalley admitted what she said had happened. He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Joseph Wright, defending, said Dalley left his job the next day and recognised ‘what he had done was entirely wrong’. He would have a record as a sex offender and was ‘acutely aware’ of what his sentence could be.

Judge David Evans said he had consensual sex with her twice, abusing his position of trust as her carer. She was vulnerable at the time and felt she ‘had been used by you’.

“No carer should take advantage of the subtle power their position accords them to take advantage of someone they care for – especially someone much younger. It’s your responsibility to defend her,” he added.

The starting point for sentencing was one year in prison and aggravating features were the disparity in their ages and his abuse of position.

But he had the good sense to admit what he had done, had shown remorse, was of previous good character ‘and bearing in mind the effect that prison would have on your long-term partner’, the judge sentenced him to a community order for three years with sexual rehabilitation.

He was ordered to pay £500 costs and to sign the sex offenders’ register and ordered not to contact the girl either directly or indirectly.