Man, 20, gets 18 months over sex acts with girls in Telford Town Park

John Finney, 20, knew the girls were under-age, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told. At an earlier hearing he had admitted two charges of engaging in a sexual act with a child.

Judge Robin Onions sentenced Finney to 18 months in a young offenders institution.

He gave him 16 months for the two acts, which were both consensual, and a further two months for failing to notify police of a change in address.

Finney, of White City Road, Quarry Bank, near Dudley, was also placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Judge Onions said: "I can fully accept that these two incidents were consensual but the fact remains that they were under-age and you knew that.

"I have heard that although you are 20 years of age, you are not 20 years of age cognitively and have had some mental health issues. However, you knew what you were doing was wrong and you should have stopped."

Mr Andrew Wilkins, prosecuting, said the incidents happened in August 2013.

He said: "In the first case there was a 14-year-old girl who the defendant had met up with twice.

"He had previously bought her a child ticket for ice skating so we say he knew she was under age. They had met twice before then had arranged to buy a tent and meet at Telford Town Park."

Mr Wilkins said the second incident happened when he met the 13-year-old girl.

He added: "Her stepfather found out and called the police."

Mr Wilkins said Finney was arrested and made full and frank admissions to the police.

Mr Lee Masters, for Finney, said his client had mental health troubles.