A MAN who was convicted of attempting to have sex with a 14-year-old girl has been made the subject of a community rehabilitation order for a year.

Dennis Coleman, 19, of Kimberley Gardens, Stanley, was cleared of rape at Newcastle Crown Court, in February.

But sentencing Coleman for the lesser charge, Judge Roger Scott told Coleman, who was of previous good character: "You were acquitted and in my view, for what it's worth, quite correctly acquitted of rape. However, equally in my view, you were quite correctly convicted of attempting to have unlawful sexual intercourse with this girl."

The incident took place last August when the girl, who had been drinking, turned up at Coleman's home.

After his arrest Coleman told police that he had kissed the girl, but she had kissed him first. He denied having sex with her, but the prosecution alleged that he had taken advantage of a vulnerable and intoxicated girl.

Passing sentence at Bradford Crown Court, Judge Scott told Coleman: "She was 14 and you were 19 at the time and the law says she should be protected, in this case from herself."

But noting a favourable pre-sentence report on Coleman, he said: "There is in my view, therefore, nothing to be gained by locking you up."

Coleman also pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge of assault involving a 17-year-old boy. He was ordered to pay him £250 compensation and £400 costs.