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CONVICTED rapist Matthew Atkins has received an eight-and-a-half year extended sentence after he groomed and seduced a teenage girl.

The 30-year-old was jailed for five years after being convicted of rape in 2006.

But in the summer of 2009, while out on licence, he met his 14-year-old victim.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday heard the pair would meet in secluded places and kiss and touch. And three weeks after her fifteenth birthday they had full sex.

Prosecutor Neil Ahuja said the sex was always consensual.

The girl's mum heard rumours but when Atkins was challenged he denied any relationship.

But the pair continued to meet secretly.

"He told her he would be sent to prison if she told anyone," said Mr Ahuja.

"They had sex on four or five more occasions, once or twice without a condom."

Mr Ahuja said the victim's mother noticed the teen's behaviour was different in 2010 and her school was asked to keep an eye on her.

Police saw the defendant on March 6, 2010 but he ran away.

Officers went to the school to talk to the girl and she became distressed.

Atkins was later arrested.

The defendant, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual activity with a child.

Arif Hussain, mitigating, said it was not a "classic" case of grooming and he did not provide the girl with alcohol or cigarettes.

"He displays genuine remorse for what he has done," said Mr Hussain.

He said the first time the pair had sex Atkins had been asleep and the girl woke him and took him to her bed.

He added that Atkins has four dependant children and his partner remains supportive and is willing to take him back.

Judge Granville Styler sentenced Atkins to an extended sentence of eight-and-a-half years to protect the public.

The custodial element will be three-and-a-half years with an extended licence period of five years.

Atkins will be on the sex offenders' register for life.

Judge Styler told the defendant: "There was a considerable age disparity between you and your victim. She was only 14 at the time.

"Sex was not always protected.

"You were determined to groom her and you seduced her for your own sexual purposes. When you knew others were trying to protect her you were prepared to meet her secretly."

The judge added: "I take the view there is a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm occasioned by further sexual offending. Young adolescent girls are at particular risk."