A BUS driver has been sentenced to six months in prison for unlawful sex with a girl under 16.

James Clarkson, 42, of Redcar Road, Dunsdale, near Guisborough, who drove buses in Cornwall, was jailed at Liskeard Magistrates' Court for having sex with a girl in that area on more than ten occasions, despite knowing she was underage.

The victim's mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said after the court hearing that she felt Clarkson was in a position of authority and needed to be locked up to protect young teenage girls.

"I am definitely glad with the sentence," she said.

"It is a feeling of absolute relief that it is now over, we can bury it and move on now."

Maurice Champion, prosecuting, said the victim felt used, stupid and manipulated by the defendant.

Stephen Parsons, mitigating, said the relationship had been consensual and that the victim may not have gone to the police had Clarkson not called an end to the affair.

He said: "Yes, she was a schoolgirl, but my client describes her of adult mind. She gave him her mobile phone number."