A MAN who conducted a sexual relationship with an underage teenage girl for 14 months was today (Friday April 19) jailed for 16 years.

David Waller, who continues to protest his innocence, was branded “arrogant and self-centred” by the sentencing judge.

Durham Crown Court heard that he told the girl the intimate consensual relationship was, “not just sex”, but “making love”.

The court heard that he bought the girl alcoholic drinks and gave her cigarettes before they had sex at various locations across the North-East, including in a Teesdale caravan, a rented flat in Chester-le-Street, in a car outside St Peter’s Church, in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, and in an Asda store car park.

He also gave her gifts of money, up to £100.

But their relationship ended several years ago, shortly after he committed a sex act to which she objected.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said more recently the girl revealed to her boyfriend she had a “secret”, but finally confided in him, and her mother, what it was, after drinking at a birthday celebration, in September 2011.

The court heard that she also kept a diary charting her encounters with Waller in coded entries.

Police were informed and 44-year-old Waller, of Devonshire Street, Sunderland, was summoned to answer her complaints.

It resulted in him being charged with one count of rape and six of sexual activity with a child.

He denied all the charges, claiming she had made up the allegations in the hope of gaining compensation.

But after a week-long trial at the court, last month, a jury returned unanimous ‘guilty’ charges on all seven counts.

Don MacFaul, in mitigation, told today’s (Fri April 19) sentencing hearing: “He still denies the offences, and, even on the evidence against him, there was no suggestion of force being used.”

Describing him as, “a hard working man”, Mr MacFaul said he has recently, however, suffered “a setback in business.”

Passing the lengthy sentence, Judge Christopher Prince told him: “You have shown no empathy for your victim, and no concern about putting her through the ordeal of a trial.

“You are a self-centred, selfish and arrogant man who manipulated this young girl for sexual pleasure.”

Judge Prince banned Waller from contacting the girl and ordered him to register as a sex offender, both permanently.