A MAN who ignored orders to leave a teenage girl alone was charged with child abduction after she was discovered in his vehicle.

Nathan Hugill had been in a relationship with the-then 15-year-old but her parent's had raised concerns about the age gap.

The 20-year-old was arrested in March this year after he picked her up in his delivery van.

Hugill had previously received a police caution after he was seen kissing her in the street.

Vicki Lambelle, prosecuting, said Hugill was in his vehicle with a friend when he saw the girl 'apparently upset' and they decided to pick her up.

The teenager's concerned mother had called the police after her daughter left her home.

Miss Lamballe said the defendant initially denied knowing the girl but later admitted his offence.

Hugill, of Kildale Grove, Dormanstown, Redcar, pleaded guilty to child abduction.

Andrew McGloin, mitigating, said his client did not want to continue with the relationship but that would 'remain to be seen'.

Judge Deborah Sherwin sentenced Hugill to a 20-month community order and ordered him to carry out 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She added: "We are not talking about a stranger snatching a child off the street, you had known her for a while."