March 2010
Man jailed for teen sex acts
A man has been jailed for two years after admitting sexual activity with a 13-year-old boy he befriended on Facebook.
Thomas Alston, 21, of Acregate Lane, Ribbleton, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and a charge of sexual activity with a child.
Kirsten McAteer, prosecuting, told the court the teenager had turned to Alston for comfort and support as he was being bullied.
The pair had been introduced through a friend and began chatting on the social networking site, and exchanging sexually suggestive text messages.
They met up and drove around Preston and Liverpool, during which time Miss McAteer said “touching” took place between them.
Richard Orme, defending, said: “This is not a classic case of grooming, where predatory paedophiles trawl social networking sites.”
Alston sobbed as Rt Hon Mrs Justice Swift handed him his sentence.
