A 20-YEAR-OLD man who had a sexual relationship with an underage girl has come 'within a whisker' of jail.

Kristian Scott, of Elm Close, Rowde, Devizes, met the 14-year-old through one of the child's pals and befriended her on Facebook before they met up.

When Scott, who was then still 19, was home alone he invited her round to his family home after telling her online what he wanted to do to her. He pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how the pair met through a 15-year-old friend of the victim who was going out with a friend of Scott's.

"She added him as a friend on Facebook then they started talking as friends. She said that they were friends," she said.

"One say, after a couple of months, they were alone in his car. She described him leaning in and kissing her. The kissing happened on a number of occasions.

"It then progressed. He then told her at one point that he was going to be home alone for a weekend."

She said he suggested she came over when his parents were away and the day before he sent her Snapchat messages telling her what he wanted to do.

Miss Hingston said the girl wasn't really sure what he meant by the sexual talk, as she just wanted to be friends.

After going to his bedroom she said he started to touch her and got her to perform a sex act on him. "She didn't say 'No' but she wasn't comfortable," Miss Hingston said.

Afterwards he told her to keep what happened 'quiet' because of her age and she thought they would remain friends, but felt he had only wanted for what happened.

A few weeks later she received a message on her phone with a picture of his penis she realised was not meant for her but for her 15-year-old pal.

When her mum found out about the message she confronted Scott and he admitted what had taken place.

Mike Jeary, defending, said unlike many people in that position his client, who is in full time work, had admitted what he had done and knows it was wrong.

Passing sentence Judge Robert Pawson said "The fact is she was and is a child. You are 20, you were then 19, you are a man. The law is there to protect children.

"Children need protection from themselves when they are on the cusp of adulthood, as they are vulnerable. You know what you did is wrong.

"You are not going straight into custody today but you have come within a whisker of it."

He imposed a 20-month jail term suspended for two years with 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and a four-month weekend curfew.

Scott must also abide by a sexual harm prevention order for four years, which will restrict his liberty, and register as a sex offender for ten years.