Geoffrey Hurt

A 38-year-old man has been jailed for 18 months after biting a 13-year-old girl in intimate areas and sending her highly inappropriate sexual messages.

Geoffrey Hurt, of Batemoor Place, Batemoor, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court after a jury rejected his claims that the physical contact was merely a "play fight."

Jurors found Hurt guilty of two counts of an offender aged 18 or over engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a child, and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child. He was acquitted of separate allegations relating to a second complainant.

The court heard that following the physical assault, Hurt sent messages to the young victim soliciting photos and asking if she would ever "go with an older man."

During sentencing, Judge David Dixon told Hurt that his communications were "beyond flirtatious" and amounted to an implicit invitation to engage in sexual activity.

"A man who is interested in biting young girls in a sexual way, as the jury found you had, is clearly a worry," Judge Dixon said. "You had a sexual interest in her, that's what this has all been about."

The prosecution also presented evidence that Hurt had searched online for material depicting sexual activity involving children, a finding the judge said proved Hurt's underlying interests.

Defense barrister Camille Morland argued that Hurt, a former soldier with a "complex background," had crossed boundaries but would benefit more from community-based rehabilitation. She noted that Hurt was currently in a relationship with a woman in Hampshire and had intended to relocate there.

However, Judge Dixon ruled out a suspended sentence, citing Hurt's "continued denials" and "lies to the jury" as evidence that he showed no realistic prospect of rehabilitation. The judge also noted that Hurt had a prior conviction for sexual assault against an adult female dating back 12 years.

In addition to the 18-month prison term, Hurt was handed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which strictly prohibits him from contacting anyone under the age of 18. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and made subject to a 10-year restraining order to protect the victim.