A SHOP worker who had sex with a 14-year-old girl after grooming her on the Internet was jailed for two years today.

Richard Crowson met the teenager in an online chatroom before sending her indecent messages and pictures.

The 21-year-old asked the girl, who cannot be named but lives in Oxford, to send him indecent pictures of herself before travelling to the city and having sex with her.

Nigel Daly, prosecuting at Oxford Crown Court, said Crowson started chatting to the girl online in December 2006 before having sex with her the following month.

He said: “Prior to his arrival, he telephoned to make sure her parents were out.”

Crowson, of Osbourne Road, Northampton, admitted meeting a child following sexual grooming, and sexual activity with a child.

Jack Walsh, defending, said: “The messages clearly show there was sexual content to these conversations which was participated in fully by both sides. The sexual intercourse was initiated by the complainant.”

Judge Julian Hall jailed Crowson for two years and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

He said: “It is time you grew up. It seems to me there was no other object to you getting in touch with this girl than to have sexual activity with her.

“You talked dirty to her and you sent pictures to each other. I do not think you realise that is abusive and demeaning to you and to her.”