June 2015 JAILED: Man, 53, groomed schoolgirl for sex A man who groomed a schoolgirl by buying her gifts and taking her to the seaside has been jailed for four and a half years. Nigel Blackshaw, from Brownhills, ‘took advantage’ of the 14-year-old to have sex with her dozens of times, Stafford Crown Court heard. The grooming was uncovered only when a neighbour of the girl’s parents became suspicious of a car pulling up numerous times, with the girl getting out of it. Blackshaw, aged 53, formerly of Howdles Lane, admitted five charges of sexual activity with a child. Judge Mark Eades told him: “Sex with a 14-year-old breaches one of the taboos in society. “You used her as your bedfellow to relieve your sexual desires. “You were aware this girl was attracted to you. “Your duty was to make it plain to her you had no sexual interest in her.” He added: “Your life is now ruined and you have expressed significant remorse.” Along with the jail sentence, Blackshaw was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was banned from working with children. Mr Neil Ahuja, prosecuting, said the neighbour spoke to the girl’s parents about their concerns and the girl’s phone was taken from her. On the phone were a number of text messages and photos sent between the defendant and the girl. Their relationship had started with a kiss, the court heard. Sometimes Blackshaw would pick her up from school and on one occasion he took her to the seaside. He told her she must not tell anyone because he would get in to trouble. Mr Ahuja said there had been a degree of planning and grooming of the girl, items being bought for her and money spent on her. Mr Anthony Bell, defending, said: “The girl in question was very much a willing participant and to some extent the driving force.” However, Judge Eades replied: “When you have a 14-year-old and someone in their 50s, that’s an extremely difficult submission to make.” Mr Bell said Blackshaw had worked hard all his life to provide for his family. He said: “There is no risk of him behaving like this in the future.”