A MAN accepted he did nothing to stop the advances of a 15-year-old girl, a court heard.

Ricky Towers, who is almost 30 years older than the girl, was today jailed for two years after admitting two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16.

The offences took place over last year when Towers, who lives and works away in Buckinghamshire, returned to visit his partner in County Durham on weekends.

Durham Crown Court heard it began with her sexually touching him, which he did not prevent, and further activity took place when he drove her to secluded spots.

Alexia Zimbler, prosecuting, said it came to light last June when she threatened to tell Towers' partner if he did not leave her, and she then mentioned it to a friend.

Police became involved the following day and Towers was arrested.

Ms Zimbler said: "He told police he willingly met her each and every time, even though she was initiating contact.

"He did say he knew she was 15 and he told her he had booked a hotel bedroom for her and him when she turned 16."

Ms Zimbler added: "The Crown's case is she was the instigator, but, as she was a 15-year-old girl he ought to have known better.

"He could have effectively stopped it from ever happening if he used his sense from the beginning."

Stephen Constantine, mitigating, said Towers had difficulties at the time commuting between Aylesbury and County Durham, and realises he should not have "encouraged contact" with the girl.

"Having taken the first step and allowed himself to go along with it he tells me he felt trapped, as if he had dug a hole out of which he felt difficult to extract himself.

"Clearly, he should have had more sense and at any point he could have just put his hands up and said: 'No. Stop it. That's enough'."

Jailing him, Judge Christopher Prince told 45-year-old Towers an aggravating feature was the approximate 30-year age difference.

Towers must sign the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.