A 23-YEAR old Sledmere man with an unhealthy interest in teenage schoolgirls has been put behind bars for four years.

Judge Nicholas Webb told Phillip Billingham of Banklands Road: "I think you are a calculating and manipulative sex offender and the public needs to be protected from you."

He further ruled Billingham should register as a Sex Offender for the rest of his life and he barred him from ever working with children.

Sitting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the Judge told Billingham: "You obviously have a considerable sexual interest in girls in their early teens".

He said that in 2006 Billingham had started a relationship with a 14 year old schoolgirl for which he was eventually arrested by police.

Then, in January 2008, he was convicted at the Crown Court of sexual activity with a child and given a Community Order.

But, within three weeks, he met another 14 year old girl, befriended her and formed another sexual relationship.

He said Billingham had sent the girl a number of text messages of a sexual nature and told him: "This shows an inability to control your desires."

"You were toying with her emotions for a sexual purpose. I think there is a significant risk of you causing harm again in the future."

Billingham had admitted two charges of sexual activity with the young girl.