However, it is believed that 24-year-old Paul Lomas of Ballycolman Estate in the town will be released from jail shortly, as he has spent the equivalent of a year on remand.

At an earlier hearing, Lomas pleaded guilty to unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl on July 26, last year.

Derry Crown Court heard that the girl's mother brought the sexual activity to the attention of police but the girl was unwilling to make a statement or to attend court. However, Lomas still gave a full account of what happened to police and that formed the evidence against him.

The police gained information from a social networking site and amongst the messages left by Lomas was that he couldn't wait until the girl was 17 'to give her the child she always wanted.'

However, it was revealed to the court that the girl had put on the website that she was 17 and Lomas was under the illusion she was a few days short of her 17th birthday.

A victim impact report prepared on the girl's behalf showed the relationship had 'caused considerable trauma to her view of herself' and it had caused stress within the wider family.

A defence lawyer said it was to Lomas's credit that he helped police, stating 'we have no evidence about what happened apart from that which came from the defendant' and said his plea of guilty had spared the girl giving evidence in court.

Inappropriate

Handing down the 12 month jail term, Judge Desmond Marrinan said it was an 'inappropriate relationship' and he had 'no doubt 'this was an unfortunate part of her life.'

Stating it was an 'unusual' case becasue there was no complainant, the judge said the court must protect family life.

"Young girls need to be protected even when they are willing to take part in a relationship of this type."

He added that the victim in this case has 'had her difficulties and the short liaison she had with you hasn't helped.'

Ordering Lomas to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and banning him from working with children, Judge Marrinan said: "The seriousness of this offence should not be minimised, even in the modern era."