A NANTWICH man who groomed a 13-year-old girl through a music sharing website has been sentenced to more than three years behind bars.

George Alexandra Joinson, 56, of Barony Court, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to sexual activity with a child and 16 counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.

He was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Friday, February 17 for three years and four months behind bars. An indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order was made against him and he will be a registered sex offender for life.

Police were alerted to Joinson after a mother form Derbyshire reported her 13-year-old daughter was missing in April 2011.

They found an old mobile phone at the girl’s address which showed she had been in regular contact with Joinson. In the back of the phone, behind the battery, was a piece of paper with Joinson’s address.

On the phone they discovered photographs of Joinson.

Officers from Nantwich searched his home in Barony Court but the teenager wasn’t there. He denied ever met up with her and said they had only ever texted.

Police arrested Joinson on suspicion of grooming and he was interviewed about the whereabouts of the missing girl.

In the meantime the girl returned home where she admitted visiting Joinson on two occasions and having unprotected sex with him.

Police arrested Joinson again and searched his home, seizing DVDs and computers.

DC Paul Carslake said: "It emerged that the victim had started chatting with Joinson on a music sharing website called Bearshare, which members have to be 14 to join. She stated that she told him she was actually 13. From his online profile she was aware of his age.

"This highlights how imperative it is that parents are aware of the sites their children are accessing and who they are communicating with.

"The internet is an amazing tool that a lot of families have access to, but it also has its dangers. There are a number of websites that provide information and tools to protect children online and I would strongly advise all parents to utilise these when educating their children about how to stay safe."