Two years for paedophile squad PC who 'groomed' 13-year-old for sex

PC Andrew Burton also exchanged "explicit" messages with the schoolgirl using an Internet service.

The pair became friendly after the officer became depressed when his wife Amanda told him she had cheated on him, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

One of Burton's text messages to the girl read: "Amanda thinks you fancy me. I should be so lucky."

Burton, who was treasurer of the South Yorkshire Police Federation, ended up inviting the girl to his house, where he is said to have touched her.

The 41-year-old, of Handsworth, Sheffield, admitted meeting a child following sexual grooming.

He also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice by disposing of evidence - a mobile and SIM card containing incriminating texts, which belonged to the Police Federation.

No evidence was offered by the prosecution on four counts of engaging in sexual activity with the schoolgirl.

Judge Roger Keen jailed Burton for two years, telling him he had destroyed his reputation and ruined his career.

Burton's wife, with whom he has an eight-month-old son, sobbed as the verdict was read out.

Grooming carries a ten-year maximum sentence and the judge said he felt obliged to send Burton to prison, especially as he worked with sex offenders and knew the harm they could do.

"That must have made you aware of young girls' vulnerability and the potential effects on them of sex offending," he said.

Andrew Smith, prosecuting, said that at the time of the offence Burton was based at Ecclesfield police station in Sheffield, where he was responsible for monitoring sex offenders - including rapists and paedophiles - in the community.

South Yorkshire Police have refused to reveal further information about his duties.

Burton and his wife - herself a police constable - had moved to the Barnsley area in 2005, where they became friendly with the girl's parents. The Burtons acquired a puppy that became the "object of attention" for children who visited their home.

The 13-year-old girl, who was described as "immature and vulnerable", became a regular visitor. But when the partner of the girl's mother found records of their conversations on her computer, police were called in and Burton was arrested.

When detectives examined the machine, they discovered "sexually explicit" dialogue.

Mr Smith said: "It demonstrated that the defendant was sexually attracted to the victim and he wished to pursue his desire by becoming sexually active with her."

During repeated police interviews, Burton stayed silent. But he later admitted he and the girl had chatted over the Internet.

He suggested the subject of sex had been raised by the girl and, although he admitted the discussions were inappropriate, he claimed he was simply teasing her.

Burton's lawyer Brian Stork told the court the policeman felt deeply ashamed that he had disgraced his family. He added: "It was a dreadful and very sad fall from grace for a once-responsible police officer of 11 years' service."

Burton became depressed in 2004 when his wife had an affair with a colleague, the court heard.

In a letter to the court, Mrs Burton said: "My affair destroyed Andy and sent him into depression. He felt ugly. His depression was so bad he had to take time off work."