Ex-police sergeant who had a love affair with schoolgirl, 14, is jailed for 12 months

A former police sergeant who 'fell in love' with a 14-year-old schoolgirl has been jailed for 12 months.

Besotted Dominic Liversedge, 27, admitted kissing the youngster and touching her breasts.

He befriended the girl's family last January and even managed to secure her parents' approval for their relationship, a court heard.

Colleagues in Cambridgeshire Police eventually turned him in after they became concerned for the girl's welfare.

The 27-year-old had a tattoo on his wrist that showed their initials and the words: 'Best Buddies till the end of the road.' 

Sentencing him at Luton Crown Court today, Judge Barbara Mensah told Liversedge: 'You should know, more than anybody else, that what you were doing was totally unacceptable and very serious.

'There is that great age discrepancy coupled with the fact that you are not an unintelligent man and would have known that what you were doing was serious and unacceptable.

'Young people don't have the experience, don't have the maturity to make decisions about relationships of this nature and very often endure long-term suffering.' 

Earlier, the court heard that the case had come to light after Liversedge told two serving police officers with whom he shared a house about his relationship with the 14-year-old.

Beverly Cripps, prosecuting, said Liversedge had met the family during rehearsals for an amateur production of the musical Oklahoma.

The relationship progressed to text messages and Liversedge eventually developed 'romantic feelings' for the girl, which were reciprocated.

Jeremy Kendall, defending, told the court how the girl's family had been grateful for 'good effect' he was having on the youngster.

After the pair decided to become 'girlfriend and boyfriend', Liversedge approached the parents openly.

Mr Kendall said of the girl's mother: 'She trusted Mr Liversedge to observe the boundaries and look after her daughter.'

The family even gave their approval for the relationship to continue after meeting Liversedge in a pub.

But they did not realise Liversedge was indulging in sexual activity with the youngster.

Mr Kendall insisted the former police officer had paid the price for his crime and had thrown away a glittering career.

He had joined the force in 2003, was promoted to sergeant in May last year and would have been eligible to become an inspector by his 30th birthday, the court heard.

Liversedge was suspended when the case began and resigned after his guilty plea at Luton Magistrates Court on June 30.

The officer had been completely honest about the whole relationship to 'spare' the girl the trauma of having to be interviewed or give evidence, Mr Kendall added.

Liversedge, of Cambridge, admitted one charge of sexual activity with a minor. In addition to his prison sentence he will sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.