A MAN who had sex with a schoolgirl almost half his age is starting a two-year prison sentence.

Gary Cooper, 27, slept with the teenager three times during what a court heard described as "an affair".

Cooper confessed to police after his arrest last summer - but might never have been prosecuted had he not.

His lawyer told Teesside Crown Court how the only evidence of any crime came from the former gardener himself.

The girl refused to co-operate with police and would not provide a victim personal statement for the court.

Her mother said in a statement: "She just wants to put the matter behind her and focus on her exams."

The court heard the pair's exchange of text messages escalated, and Cooper said he wanted to be with her.

Prosecutor Connor Quinn told Judge Peter Bowers yesterday that Cooper knew exactly how old the girl was.

Graham Brown, mitigating, said: "The defendant cooperated with police and entered his plea at the earliest opportunity.

"That is of some significance and relevance in this case as [the girl] did not wish to give evidence in any way.

"If the defendant said nothing at all in interview, the Crown may have struggled with the case they have.

"It is largely based on the admissions the defendant has made in his interview.

"This is not a situation where there was manipulation, and this is not a situation where there was grooming."

Cooper, of High Street, Brotton, east Cleveland, admitted three charges of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Bowers told him he had taken advantage of the teenager's infatuation with him, and did groom her.

He said: "This law is passed in order to protect young, impressionable women, girls, from being groomed and exploited by older men. You know that. I know that.

"You were well aware of her age and you allowed that relationship to prosper."

Mr Brown said Cooper had a good work record from leaving school, and disputed a probation claim that he was "feckless".

He added: "If he had maintained his silence, he might well not have been a court today."