A TEENAGE sex offender is behind bars for abusing a child while leading "a rootless and itinerant existence".

Brandon Swinney was locked up for two-and-a-half years after he admitted three sexual assault charges.

At Teesside Crown Court, the 18-year-old, from Hartlepool, was also banned for life from working with children.

Judge Neil Davey, QC, also imposed a ten-year prohibition on Swinney having unsupervised contact with girls under 16.

The court heard that the offences were committed when the defendant lived in east Durham between the ages of 14 and 16.

He moved about in his early teens because of his mother's relationships, and never settled, his barrister, Dan Cordey, said.

Mr Cordey said Swinney lacked a suitable role model, and was subjected to violence from a boyfriend of his mother's in Kent.

"He was himself a child at the time of the offending," the lawyer added. "He was left without any proper influence.

"He was an immature young man who was brought up in very difficult circumstances, and had little in the way of guidance.

"If he had the maturity or guidance, and given some input into his behaviour, he may have thought differently about what he was doing."

In an impact statement, the victim said she struggled for some time to get her life back on track after being molested.

"I noticed changes in my own personality," she said. "I was getting into trouble at school and lashing out because I was angry.

"I do feel a bit better now, but I'm still frightened to walk anywhere by myself . . . I don't like being out on my own."

Judge Davey told Swinney, of Burbank Street, Hartlepool: "You did not have the sort of guidance luckier children have.

"But you knew what you were doing was wrong, and you carried on doing it for your own sexual gratification."

A probation officer wrote: "He was fearful she would disclose what was happening, and knew that his actions were wrong.

"He begged her not to say anything, and admits that her silence allowed him to continue to abuse her."