A MAN has been jailed for jailed for six years and seven months for grooming and sexually abusing a child.

Michael John Dale was brought to justice by North Yorkshire Police despite the offences happening some years ago.

Dale, who formerly lived in the York area and now lives in Church Fenton, was jailed at York Crown Court on Friday.

The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He admitted three of the offences in February and a fourth in July 2018, on the day he was due to stand trial.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Peter Smith, of York Serious Crime Team, said: “This case involved the exploitation of an innocent teenage girl by an older man who took advantage of her age and immaturity for his own sexual gratification.

“The investigation started several years ago and initially the victim was not forthcoming because she had been groomed by Dale.

“However now that she is older she has realised that what happened was wrong.

“Although he initially pleaded guilty to some offences, he continued to deny others, only admitting to them on the morning of his trial.

“The victim is now left trying to piece her life back together after realising that her childhood was taken away from her by his actions. I hope today’s significant sentence goes some way in helping her to move on, and encourages other victims of grooming to come forward to the police and report their abusers.”

North Yorkshire Police has specially trained officers, specialist facilities and support from partner agencies to support abuse victims to come forward.

A spokesman said: “It does not matter when the abuse happened, whether it is happening now or if it happened many years ago.

“What is important is that you get the help and support you need, that wider safeguarding measures can be put in place and that any perpetrators are investigated and brought to justice.”