A MAN who had sex with a schoolgirl runaway was today starting a four-month jail term.

John Whittingham, who appeared at Burnley Crown Court on his 21st birthday, had led the victim and her friend to the home of child sex offender Eric Dale and took advantage while he was there, the court heard.

The defendant was said to have certain difficulties in life in understanding the duties owed by someone his age towards the 14-year-old complainant.

Judge Raymond Bennett, sentencing, said the defendant should have told the two girls to go home or told somebody, preferably the police.

He went on: "You took them to a house where they were not going to be safe as you knew something of Mr Dale's past. When it was apparent they were not going to be safe, you took advantage."

Whittingham, of Claremont Street, Brierfield, admitted indecent assault and child abduction. He was also put on the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.

Kath Johnson, prosecuting, told the court last June the two girls ran away from home. They had nowhere to stay for the night and the defendant arranged for them to stay at Dale's house.

The girls were reported missing and were not found until two days later. At Dale's they drank cider bought by Whittingham and the defendant then had sex with one. She did not consent.

Miss Johnson said the girls spent two nights at Dale's home. They did not want to be discovered when police turned up and one ran away.

Whittingham was arrested on June 29 and at first denied any contact with either of the two girls. He then accepted he had intercourse with one and claimed she was a willing party.

The prosecutor added Dale, also of Claremont Street, had previous convictions for indecent assault and was a lot older than his co-defendant. He was jailed for 16 months after admitting having sex with the other runaway.

Whittingham was of previous good character.

Kevin Donnelly, defending, said Whittingham was not terribly bright. The girls were willing attenders at Dale's home.

The real seriousness of the offences was that Whittingham had had sex with a girl he knew to be beneath the age of consent.

Mr Donnelly added the defendant's level of maturity and social functioning was beneath his age. He had failed to successfully integrate himself into adult life and his lifestyle was more akin to an adolescent.

For all that, Whittingham should have appreciated the seriousness of the behaviour in which he involved himself.

The barrister added the defendant understood a custodial sentence was likely to be uppermost in the court's mind. He was unlikely to come before the courts again and it was improbable he would offend in any way.

Mr Donnelly went on: "The defendant does not represent a threat to women or girls. He has undoubtedly learned his lesson."