A MARYPORT man who asked a teenage girl to perform a sex act on him has been jailed.

Aiden Farish, 30, of Victory Crescent, Maryport, pleaded guilty to two sets of offences: communicating sexually with the girl and sexually touching her; and breaching a restraining order that banned contact with a person.

At Carlisle Crown Court, prosecutor Peter Wilson said the defendant asked the child for her contact details, after which he began messaging her.

In one message he asked her to perform a sex act.

Her mental health was affected and she suffered nightmares; she also feared bumping into Farish. The defendant had 18 offences on his record, but nothing previous of a sexual nature.

Maxwell Cope, defending, said Farish admitted having problems controlling his temper and emotions, especially within intimate relationships.

He was now reducing his drugs use and gambling.

“He has suffered some significant trauma in his life,” said the barrister. This included the death of his best friend in a road accident; he had also experienced low mood and suicidal thoughts.

Farish had reduced his cannabis use and had been sober for six months. Mr Cope added: “Drugs and alcohol were notable factors in these offences.”

Judge Michael Fanning jailed the defendant for 12 months and put him on the Sex Offender Register for a decade.

Restraining orders ban any contact with the victims indefinitely.