A MECHANIC who had sexual relationships with two under-age girls has been jailed for six years.

Adam James Noble, 24, knew one of the girls was only 13 years old at the time, but “deliberately targeted her for sex”, York Crown Court heard.

Noble had a lengthy sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl which started when he was 21, but when that broke down, he met the second teenager, with whom he also had a sexual relationship.

The court heard he also encouraged the younger girl to text him indecent pictures of herself, and was “pestering” her to find a friend to join them for group sex.

David Dixon, for Noble, told the court his client was carer for his unwell father, after he was sacked from two jobs following the allegations.

Mr Dixon also said “there was care and affection” towards the girls.

Throughout the trial, Noble claimed he thought both girls were over 16, although text messages from Noble on the younger girl’s phone showed he had told her they had to be careful not to be seen together, because he could be “banged up for five years” if they were.

Noble, of York Road in Hessay, denied six charges of having sexual activity with a child, three for each girl, and admitted one of involving the younger girl in pornography by getting her to send him erotic pictures of herself.

A jury returned not guilty verdicts on two of the charges involving the older girl.

Recorder Martin Bethen QC told Noble: “Not only did you know she was 13 years old throughout the time of these offences, but you deliberately targeted her for sex.

“My clear view is as far as you were concerned she was not a girlfriend, she was a sex object.

“It is disturbing in relation to her and the other girl that the pre-sentence report showed even after conviction you still do not accept responsibility for what you have done.”

Noble was sentenced to four and a half years each for three counts relating to the 13-year-old and 12 months for causing a child to create an indecent image, all to be served concurrently.

He was jailed for a further 18 months for sex offences with the older girl, to be served consecutively.