A JCB worker, who had sex with a 14-year-old girl, has been jailed for two years.
Richard Ashmore would pick the girl up in his car, sometimes she was still in school uniform, and drive to locations where they would have intercourse, Stafford Crown Court was told.
The relationship went on for months — until the girl complained to her family when Ashmore failed to use a condom.
Ashmore, now aged 24, of Doval Gardens, Tean, admitted having sexual intercourse with a child.
Judge John Maxwell told him: “She was 14, you were 23. That age gap is more significant because you were driving a car and used that vehicle to further these offences.” In addition to the jail sentence, Ashmore has been banned from working with children and banned from being alone with a child in a car unless accompanied by an adult. He was also ordered to register with the police as a sex offender.
Pat Sullivan, prosecuting, said Ashmore met the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, through a friend. She said he knew throughout the relationship that she was 14 — she had told him that and “he didn’t seem concerned”.
“He had picked her up on several occasions when she was wearing her school uniform.
“He would pick her up in his car and drive away together and they would either talk or have sex.” She estimated they had sex about 20 times, Ashmore always using a condom until the last occasion, which was what she objected to.
Catherine O’Reilly, defending, said Ashmore had worked at jcb since 2001 and had been about to be promoted to manager of the team responsible for robotics.
“He is an intelligent and articulate young man, but made a terrible choice with regard to the girl. He is deeply ashamed to find himself before the court, he cannot quite believe he has got himself in to this situation.
he comes from a very decent home.”
