Man, 74, assaulted teenage girl

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A 74-year-old Shropshire man who befriended a 14-year-old girl and then sexually assaulted her has been jailed for 18 months.

Aubrey Millward, of Princess End, Dawley Bank, Telford, said he loved the girl, Judge Robin Onions said the age gap was unhealthy and unacceptable.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard Millward had lavished gifts on the girl.

He pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with her but said she had consented to what happened.

Judge Onions said he was satisfied Millward had groomed the girl for sexual activity.

He was banned from working with young people for 10 years and ordered to register as a sex offender.

The court heard that Millward was of previous good character with an unblemished life.