Man jailed for sex offences against girl, aged 14

A man from North Yorkshire has been jailed for three years and ten months at Teesside Crown Court for four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, one of making an indecent image and one of child abduction.

David Stephen Tawse, 24, previously of The Avenue, Stokesley and York Road, Thirsk, was sentenced after pleading guilty to the offences on December 21st 2016.

In November 2016 North Yorkshire Police’s Serious Crime Team launched an investigation into a suspected sexual relationship between Tawse and a 14-year-old girl.

The investigation found that Tawse had struck up a relationship with the girl via Facebook.

Despite knowing that she was 14, he met up with her on a number of occasions to engage in sexual activity.

Unbeknown to the girl, he filmed them and used the footage to threaten the girl into continuing the relationship.

Tawse was arrested in November the police intercepted a plan to travel north with the girl by train from Middlesbrough.

Advice for parents and carers is available on the “Think u know” website www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents

If you believe you are victim of sexual crime, please contact the police on 101 or call 999 in an emergency..