Farmworker jailed for sex with grieving teenager (From This is The West Country)

Farmworker jailed for sex with grieving teenager

6:16am Thursday 30th March 2006 in News By Court reporter

A FARMWORKER who had unprotected sex with a schoolgirl near to her mother's grave has been jailed.

Jonathan Simpson, 21, met the 13-year-old for the first time at a fireworks display at Wiveliscombe Rugby Club last November when she became upset over her mother's death.

She showed him scars where she had cut herself while grieving and Simpson proposed a visit to her mother's grave.

After a time, they began kissing and had sex on the ground, said Samuel Butterworth, prosecuting at Taunton Crown Court.

He added: "It was the first time the girl had had sex and it took place about 30 yards from her mother's grave."

The girl later visited her doctor, who reported the incident, but there was no suggestion she did not consent to sex.

Simpson, of Wiveliscombe, bragged at the rugby club he had "just got laid" and later told his employer he no longer asked girls their age, having once had a scare when a girl told him she was only 14 and he backed off.

Richard Crabbe, defending, said the offence was an act of drunken stupidity with serious undertones given Simpson's past - he had two previous court appearances, including convictions for indecent assault on a female.

Simpson had a rural upbringing in Wiltshire, left home at 14 and was taken into care and ostracised by his family before drifting to Somerset, looking for farm work.

Mr Crabbe said: "It's all gone horribly wrong and he's now homeless and rootless."

Judge Graham Hume Jones told Simpson: "You took her out of this party when she was distressed and took advantage of her for your own sexual gratification.

"That's serious enough, but when one looks at your background it's been concluded you are a danger to young girls."

Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of 18 months, less 127 days spent on remand, and was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

He will not be released until the Parole Board is satisfied he is no longer dangerous.

He will remain on licence for ten years after his release.