A 27-year-old man has been jailed for three years for sexual touching of a girl aged 14.

Steven Shoesmith, whose criminal career began when he was aged ten, committed the offence almost two years ago when he was on prison licence for an unrelated offence.

He denied the allegation but was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Shoesmith, of no fixed address, had served long stretches in jail for burglary and vehicle offences.

He was recalled to prison and held in custody until the trial date.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, said Shoesmith took advantage of the sexually inexperienced teenager when they were both staying at a house in Bradford.

He went into the bedroom where she was sleeping, removed his clothing and molested her.

When she arrived back home, her mother could see how upset she was and the police were called.

Shoesmith’s barrister, Simon Keeley, said he did not threaten or use violence and stopped when the girl told him to.