A TEENAGER who engaged a girl under the age of 16 in sexual activity has been given a three-year community order.

Connor Brandrick, of Majors Close, Abergavenny, pleaded guilty to two charges of engaging in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 at Newport Crown Court yesterday.

Brandrick, 19, became involved in a physical relationship with the girl – which the court heard she consented to – after the pair became friendly on Snapchat.

They also exchanged sexual images of each other, the court was told.

But the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told a police officer about the relationship in December 2016.

She said she did not want Brandrick to be prosecuted for any offence, though.

Nigel Fryer, defending, said: “This is not a man who can be considered a sexual predator, but a socially awkward young man who made some poor life choices.”

Recorder Greg Bull QC said Brandrick knew he was breaking the law and was aware of the girl’s age. But he also called it an “exceptional case”, and said that Brandrick and the girl had “genuine feelings” for each other.