A YOUNG man has avoided jail after starting an ‘improper’ relationship with a teenage girl, sending her nude photographs and touching her inappropriately.

Zeth Goldstone, 22, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday (April 22) to one count each of sexual communication with a child and sexual activity with a child in January 2021.

It was heard that the relationship began in December 2020, when Goldstone was 18 and the victim was only 14 years of age.

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Goldstone, of Great Western Road, Didcot, had sent images of his penis to the girl on Snapchat before putting his hand down her top after the pair met up on one occasion.

Sentencing to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, Judge Nigel Daly said: “It was an improper relationship. She was only 14. You were older though not terribly older.

“The trouble is, young ladies at that age are very vulnerable and their heads can be turned by young men a bit older than them and when it all finishes they can be very affected.

“That’s why these sorts of offences are regarded as serious.”

Opening the case, prosecutor Terence Woods explained that Goldstone had first seen the victim in a pub with her father before later finding out her name and messaging her on Facebook.

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The conversation then moved to Snapchat where Goldstone had started sending nude photographs.

Mr Wood said: “She had become infatuated with him. There was an element of his behaviour that might  be described as rooming.”

The pair then met by a tree in Corn Street, Witney, where they kissed and Goldstone put his hand down the victim’s top.

He removed his hand when he was asked to stop.

It was heard the relationship continued briefly before it came to light that it had been reported to police.

Goldstone told police he believed the girl had been older.

The court heard the 22-year-old had one previous conviction for criminal damage.

Defending Goldstone, his barrister explained his client has recognised his behaviour was wrong and has since got himself into ‘a stable relationship of two years’ and has ‘never been involved in any sexual offences’ before.

Goldstone told him: “I was a stupid, idiotic teenager.”

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As well as his suspended sentence, he was also ordered to complete up to 60 rehabilitation activity days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order against the victim.

Jude Daly concluded: “Time has passed, you haven’t done it again, it’s clear there’s a good prospect of rehabilitation.”