Febuary 2012

Lincolnshire PCSO jailed for sex with 12-year-old girl

A former police community support officer has been jailed for 10 years after having a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl.

Michael Yardley, 35, had sex with the girl at least five times while she was 12 and 13, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

They exchanged text messages of a sexual nature and Yardley bought the girl presents.

Yardley, who admitted a charge of raping a child under 13, resigned from Lincolnshire Police after his arrest.

He also pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child aged 13.

Recorder John Philpotts said Yardley had breached his position of trust.

He said: “The long-term emotional and psychological effects on the victim herself can only be guessed but I have no doubt that they will be serious and substantial.”

Yardley worked with the Sleaford neighbourhood policing team from 2008 but the court heard he did not meet the girl through his police work.The offences, which began in October 2010 and took place in his car and at a house, continued until April 2011.

On 5 December 2010, Yardley’s wife found him sitting on a sofa with the girl with his arm over her shoulder and stroking her neck.

She had a panic attack and they separated over Christmas but she subsequently reported her concerns to her manager at work, who told police.

When interviewed by detectives, the victim said the relationship turned intimate when she and Yardley began texting each other.

Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said: “Initially the texts were innocent and playful but over time they became sexual in nature, and that was from both of them.

“From there, the relationship progressed to a sexual one.”

Yardley initially denied the offences when he was interviewed by police but in a later interview he admitted having sex with the girl.

Allison Summers, defending, said Yardley had no previous convictions and had spared the girl having to give evidence at a trial by pleading guilty.

Detective Inspector Guy Leach said: “Michael Yardley is a very dangerous person to young girls.

“As a consequence of his conduct, the childhood and adolescence of this young girl has been stolen.

“As and when he is released from custody he will be on the registered sex offenders list for life and will be managed by the Dangerous Persons Management Unit to ensure that he is never able to again put himself in a position where he can manipulate and abuse the trust of others.”