Pervert who seduced girl, 13, online is spared jail

David Coulter, 22, who groomed the youngster over several months knowing she was under age, was instead ordered to go on a sex offenders’ programme.

Coulter arranged to met the girl in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, after getting in touch through the My Yearbook website in April 2009.

Prosecutor Robin Mairs said they kissed on their first date and continued to keep in contact with each other despite Coulter knowing she was only 13.

He told the youngster he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

They had sex in December 2009 and police were contacted after the girl told her friends and they reported it at school.

Coulter initially denied having sex with the youngster and told police he was gay.

But when officers seized his computer they discovered sexual remarks made by him to the girl.

One message also revealed he must have known her young age as it referred to her being in her school uniform.

Coulter, of Turner Avenue, Halifax, pleaded guilty to being engaged in sexual activity with a child.

John Boumphrey, mitigating, said Coulter was of low intelligence and had a mental age of someone aged ten or 11.

Mr Boumphrey urged Judge Penelope Belcher to take a “rare” course of action and follow the recommendations of a report calling for Coulter to be given a community punishment rather than being sent to jail.

The barrister said he would pose a lower risk of re-offending if he received treatment to address his behaviour rather than being jailed.

The judge agreed to impose a community supervision order for 18 months, in which he will be required to attend a sex offenders’ treatment programme.

He was told he was not able to complete unpaid work as he suffers from epilepsy.