August 2007 Teenager must serve two years A BRIDPORT teenager has been sentenced to two years in a Young Offender Institution for having sex with two 13-year-old girls. Alexander Lucas, 18, made the second girl pregnant while on bail for the first offence, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark heard at Dorchester Crown Court. But it was only after scientific evidence showed he was the father that he admitted having sex with her in a Bridport park while both were drunk one evening, the judge heard. And Lucas had initially denied having sex with the first girl until forensic evidence showed that she had had sexual intercourse Lucas, who is already on the sex offenders’ register after pleading guilty at earlier hearings to two counts of sexual activity with a child, must serve half of the sentence and can then be released on licence. The judge also ordered that Lucas, of Court Orchard in Bridport, be banned from working with children under 18. Prosecutor Clifford Grier said the first incident happened at the home of a mutual friend where Lucas had stayed the night. The girl told her school friends and then a teacher. Lucas was later arrested and denied having sex – he said the girl had hugged him. He changed his story after she had a medical examination but told police he believed the girl was 14 and that he thought that was the legal age for sex. He told police he could not remember the second incident because he had been drinking alcohol but admitted he knew she was 13. The girl has since had an abortion. Frank Abbott, representing Lucas, said the defendant had difficulties including the condition ADHD. He said Lucas had not been managing his medication earlier this year when the offences occurred but was now taking medication and was more in control. He said: “He suffers from educational, intellectual and clinical disadvantages. He is highly immature. He needs help to lead a normal life.” He said Lucas was vulnerable and would suffer in custody. The judge told Lucas that sentencing guidelines pointed to four years in custody but he took into account the fact he was only 18, that the girls had consented, his ADHD and the fact that the prosecution had been a chastening experience. He said: “I don’t suggest that you being sent to a YOI is necessarily of benefit to you but there must be an element of deterrence to deter other young men who think sex with young girls is acceptable.”