A man in his 20s, who was on police bail for having sex with an underage girl, continued to maintain a similar “relationship” with another girl at the time, a court heard.

Aaron Whitwell received a 33-month prison sentence at Durham Crown Court, in December 2020, after changing his plea to guilty to a charge of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Whitwell, who was 22 during the course of that offence, told the girl he was aged 17.

The court today (Monday September 18) heard that he was engaging in similar activity with a second teenager during the time the original offence was being investigated.

The Northern Echo: Aaron Whitwell jailed for the second time in recent years for sexual activity with a child

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said initial contact was made with his second victim via Snapchat, on which Whitwell used a middle name and claimed to be aged 17 or 18.

He suggested to the girl that they should meet at an old railway line and in nearby woods, where the sexual activity took place over several months.

It was after discovering Whitwell’s full name and seeing a newspaper report of his initial case that the latest complaint about his behaviour was made to police, in March 2021, by which time the defendant was serving his first prison sentence.

Read more: Paedophile, 21, pretended to be 17 to groom 14-year-old girl

Mr Dodds said Whitwell was arrested for the latest offence the day after his release on licence midway through his first sentence.

He was picked out by the victim using the video identity procedure in April 2021, but when questioned he denied ever meeting the girl and claimed the allegations were part of a “conspiracy” against him.

Whitwell, now 26, formerly of Lichfield Road, West Cornforth, denied six counts of sexual activity with a child and one of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

But on the day his victim was to undergo her pre-trial recording of her cross-examination, last month, he changed his plea to guilty.

In her impact statement the victim said she felt Whitwell had groomed her, supposedly taking an interest in her, and she explained how she felt, “intimidated, scared and vulnerable”, no longer feeling safe around older men, who she does not trust.

She also said she felt “powerless” in his company, and, as a result of her experiences, is now cautious in everything she does.

Read more County Durham news from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

Chris Morrison, in mitigation, said despite some of the claims of his “sinister” activities, there was, “nothing particularly sophisticated, over how he met the victim".

Mr Morrison said when he finally made his admissions, the defendant was, “commendably frank and has shown significant remorse”.

He told the court: “He (the defendant) is somebody who is an individual of crushing immaturity and has a low IQ.

“The only aggravating feature of the case is that he was on bail for part of the time.

“He’s still a very young man, an immature young man.”

Judge James Adkin told Whitwell he lied to the girl about his age and there was, “a significant disparity in age".

He added: “There was a significant degree of planning for you to be able to carry this relationship on with this child for so long, as you did.

“And, at the time, you were on bail for another sexual activity offence.

“You were in the court system, knowing that other case was pending and, yet, you allowed this to continue.”

Judge Adkin told Whitwell: “You have a clear sexual pre-occupation with teenage girls and you are prepared to lie and bully to ensure your needs are met.”

Read next:

Academic facing prison after admitting grooming girl, 13

Crook sex offender found guilty of 18 offences in May trial

Police said victim of Crook paedophile 'vindicated' by his conviction

For more news, sport and entertainment stories from The Northern Echo, for just £1 for one month, click here.

As he considers Whitwell to pose a danger of similar offending to young girls, the judge imposed an extended sentence featuring a seven-year custodial element, with three-years’ extended licence period upon his release.

It means Whitwell will have to serve two-thirds of the seven years before being eligible for release.

He was also made subject of a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, plus registration as a sex offender, and a restraining order, relating to his victim, both for life.