A MARRIED man who groomed a schoolgirl less than half his age walked free from court today (Wednesday, May 22).

James Wright chatted with the teenager on the internet before getting her into bed, stripping her and engaging in sexual activity.

The 34-year-old was said to have been having problems with his marriage and money when he took advantage of the youngster.

His barrister, Robin Frieze, told Teesside Crown Court: "He appreciates the responsibility was his to prevent this happening.

"Girls of that age need to be protected from themselves and it was his duty to do so . . . he doesn't seek to make any excuses."

The court heard how the girl was infatuated with Wright and he had told her they would wait until she was 16 before they had sex.

She later feared she was pregnant after they had been "spooning" in bed, but prosecutors accept that intercourse never took place.

When he was arrested last year, Wright, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, admitted kissing and cuddling the youngster.

He initially denied touching her inappropriately, but later admitted two charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Judge George Moorhouse imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, with Probation Service supervision.

He also ordered Wright to go on a sex offender treatment programme and sign on the sex offenders' register for seven years.

"It is quite clear from the very detailed report I have about you that you are in desperate need of some kind of educational help."

The court heard that Wright's wife left him as soon as she discovered the affair, but his employers have kept open his job.

Mr Frieze said: "In the intervening period, he has suffered significant hardship. He appreciates that, to a great extent, is his fault.

"A suspended sentence would mean he would keep his job and his house and he would receive the kind of structured, rigorous and intensive work which might mean he would not be back before the court again.

"At the time the offences occurred, he was having problems with his marriage and was in financial difficulty, and he was flattered by by her obvious interest in him."

Wright, of Beech Grove, Northallerton, was told by the judge: "You slowly gained her trust and severely breached it."