A MAN has been sent to a young offenders institution for pursuing a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl.

Daniel Carmody, 20, from North Road pressurised the teenager into having sex with him but told police officers investigating him that it was never a physical relationship.

He was brought to the attention of detectives in St Helens after social workers already involved in helping his victim and her family, spotted something was wrong.

Carmody was found at the girl's address twice when they visited. On one occasion he lied about who he was and the next time he ran away from the house when they arrived.

The social workers reported their concerns to officers specialising in child sexual exploitation and Carmody was arrested.

When officers examined his phone they found text messages and photographs showing evidence of an inappropriate sexual relationship.

The 14-year-old was interviewed and confirmed that she had been pressurised into having sex with Carmody, who had breached his bail conditions by repeatedly contacting her while he was under investigation.

Speaking after he was sentenced to two years, Detective Sergeant Jim Starkey said the social workers spotting signs of child exploitation had been crucial in helping police put a stop to it.

He said: "If it wasn't for these social workers being alert to the signs of child sexual exploitation and asking the right questions about why Carmody was at the girl's house, this matter may not have come to our attention.

"This was a girl who was already vulnerable and who Carmody knew was underage yet he pursued a relationship with her and was solely responsible for making it sexual.

"He then tried to deny any wrongdoing when clearly he had been exploiting her vulnerability and young age.

"Thankfully he was stopped before he could continue harming her and we are grateful to our colleagues in social services for acting on their suspicions.

"Anyone working in a profession where they are responsible for protecting children should make sure they know the signs of a child being in danger or being harmed. The police service takes child sexual exploitation extremely seriously and we will keep working to raise awareness about this hidden crime and encourage more people to come forward and report it."

Carmody was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.