A MAN has avoided a prison sentence after admitting having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Andrew David Sturdy, 31, of Marton, Sinnington, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with an underage girl, and appeared before York Crown Court on Thursday to be sentenced.

He was sentenced to a three-year community order, three years of supervision, ordered to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work, and pay a £60 victim surcharge.

Sturdy will also have to sign the sex offenders register for the next five years.