A man who sent a barrage of sexual advances to a schoolgirl under the age of 16 has been sentenced to a year’s imprisonment for unlawful carnal knowledge.

Aaron Ashley O’Connor, 21, of The Glebe Road, Pembroke, sent the girl “this constant, constant, constant request”, acting Justice Charlene Scott told him before sentencing.

The judge said that she had read through the messages, sent to the girl via WhatsApp, adding: “If I was that age, I might feel pressured as well.

“She was a student; she was in school uniform. That would have been a lightbulb. That says ‘do not touch’. Suffice to say, that’s what makes it a serious offence: you being 20, she being under 16.

“She is not an adult; she is a young person.”

According to prosecutor Victoria Greening, prior to the offence on August 9, 2014, O’Connor had pulled over on his bike while the girl was walking to school, asking for her details.

He got her name and subsequently began communicating with her via WhatsApp.

Ms Greening said O’Connor also threatened to put pictures of her on Facebook if she did not follow through on his requests.

After visiting her house twice, O’Connor found the girl alone on the third occasion and had sex with her. She informed her parents later that day.

While the Crown requested 15 months’ imprisonment, defence lawyer Craig Attridge argued that a year was appropriate, maintaining that while ignorance of the law was no defence, “at the time, he believed she was 16”.

Mr Attridge pointed out “in this day and age, social media is almost always an aspect in the development of a relationship”, saying there had been nothing specifically manipulative.

O’Connor apologised to both the victim’s family and his own, adding that he could “only imagine the pressure, hurt and embarrassment she must have felt”, and saying he felt ashamed.

His time spent in custody will be taken into account.