The pair met through the internet

John Wooler, 46, talked online and by telephone to the 14-year-old from Cheltenham before they agreed to meet.

The unemployed married father-of-three from Southampton, drove two hours to collect her before driving her to a nearby lay-by.

The pair talked while she drank alcohol and he gave her presents before passionately kissing her.

Although the girl agreed to meet Wooler, she was under age and had not told her parents about the meeting.

When the girl received text messages from her parents, Wooler drove her home.

Wooler admitted abducting a child and indecently assaulting her in November, 2001.

You, a man in your 40s, should be absolutely ashamed of yourself Judge Gabriel Hutton

Toby Halliwell, prosecuting at Gloucester Crown Court, said Wooler used a false identity on the internet to establish contact with the girl, befriending her and talking about pop music.

He sent her phone credits but did admit he was an adult and married with children.

Wooler also sent the girl adult underwear which aroused her parents; suspicions.

Police found evidence that he had contacted other 14-year-old girls through the internet on his laptop computer.

'Entirely willing'

Defending, James Counsell said: "This is not a case of someone deliberately deceiving a young person in order to meet them.

"The two left amiably and he became concerned when her parents tried to contact her.

"It is right to say that there was never any attempt to go against her wishes."

Sentencing Wooler, Judge Gabriel Hutton told him: "You, a man in your 40s, should be absolutely ashamed of yourself for carrying on in this way with a girl of 14.

"She obviously was entirely willing but there's no excuse whatsoever because children have to be protected from themselves."

He was sentenced to 18 months, of which he must serve half, and ordered to sign the sex offenders' register.