A MARRIED milkman who seduced a schoolgirl on his milkfloat has been jailed.

Eric Peart's fling was exposed when the teenager's mother became suspicious of mobile text messages between the pair.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Peart, 43, fell for the girl, who was 13 at the time, and told her he fancied her.

Andrew Finlay, prosecuting, told the court how the teenager said she had the same feelings and a relationship started last year.

Mr Finlay said the pair then went out on trips together and he first assaulted her while she was riding with him on his milkfloat.

"He told her that she was not to tell anybody about their relationship because he might get into trouble with the police," said Mr Finlay.

The court heard that another time, Peart arranged to use a friend's house, where they had consensual sex. The court also heard how Peart seduced the girl while they were on holiday.

Gavin Doig, in mitigation, said: "This was an appalling lapse for a man of his age. He was unable to control himself."

Peart, of Redhouse, Eshwinning, County Durham, pleaded guilty to indecent assault and two charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and was jailed for nine months.