A 50-year-old man who sent lewd sexual messages to a 14-year-old schoolgirl has been jailed.

Tony Johnstone, of Saint Martin's Drive, Brampton, used social media to groom the schoolgirl online for almost two years.

Carlisle Crown Court was told today that his young victim was left distressed, upset and put off her studies.

Johnstone was sentenced today to 12-months in prison, having previously admitted causing or inciting a child aged under 16 to engage in sexual activity in December last year.

He claimed to have been drunk when his offending behaviour occurred, and was described as "ashamed and embarrassed" by it.

Sentencing Johnstone, Judge Barbara Forrester said: "I am satisfied in all the circumstances that it should be a period of immediate imprisonment."

He must also sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years, and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same length of time.