A TYCROES man who carried out sexual acts with a schoolgirl has been jailed.

Swansea Crown Court heard how Christopher John Austin, of Teglan Park, had conversations with his victim, a girl under the age of 16, which he sexualised, discussing pornography.

The court was told that on one occasion he hugged her and kissed her. At Austin's instruction they performed sex acts on each other and he also had intercourse with her.

Austin, 37, appeared at crown court for sentencing for six counts of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16, another count of sexual communication with a child, and two counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child.

The victim had to obtain the morning after pill, the court was told. She spoke to a member of staff at her school and then her mother took her to a police station to report Austin’s actions.

Police investigations led to the discovery of indecent internet searches made by Austin.

There were two Category A indecent images of his victim, three Category A videos and eight Category C images.

When Austin was initially questioned by police he tried to claim he suffered from blackouts and that he had been hacked by a third party, the court was told.

A victim impact statement read out in court said she goes "day to day with a strong feeling of regret" and has since suffered with panic attacks, low moods and anxiety, and struggled to concentrate on her school work and lessons

Austin was sentenced to prison for five years.

Dyfed-Powys Police detective sergeant Carl Pocock said: "This man has been convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offences and it is very difficult to summarise the impact of his crimes upon his victim.

“I wish to thank the victim in this case for their courage in coming forward which has led to the conviction of a dangerous offender and I hope from the sentence they will be able to move on with their life.”