A FORMER policeman and Dunster businessman who groomed a 15-year-old girl for a sexual relationship has been jailed for 30 months.

Paul Williams, who runs a tea room with his wife, was found guilty on four charges following a five-day trial at Taunton Crown Court.

A jury of nine women and three men found the 49-year-old not guilty on two counts of sexual activity with a child, but brought in substantial majority verdicts on three similar charges and a further charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offences were said to have taken place between December 2007 and July 2008.

In addition to the prison sentence, Williams was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register and was placed under a Sexual Offenders Prevention Order to run indefinitely.

During the course of the trial, the court was told that Williams led the girl to believe he had feelings for her and there were problems in his marriage.

He was said to have sent her almost 600 text messages and she was described as being flattered by his interest.

Ian Fenny, prosecuting, said: "It's not a case of him forcing himself upon her.

"This is a case of a man misbehaving and taking advantage of her young age.

"He knew what he was doing was wrong and she, deep inside, also knew what he was doing was wrong."

Mr Fenny said that when she came to the conclusion things had to stop, he threatened to harm her if ever she spoke of what happened between them.

The victim, who was 15 at the time of the offences, alerted police in 2008 having eventually confided in her parents about Williams.

He was first arrested in May and eventually charged last October.

Terry Holder, defending, said Williams was facing difficulties going into custody due to the nature of the charges and by virtue of his previous occupation.

"So his sentence is going to be particularly hard," he said.

There would also be a knock-on effect for his family life and his business and livelihood, quite apart from the distress it had caused his wife.

But Judge Graham Hume Jones told Williams he had been convicted on clear evidence.

During the trial he had caused the girl to have to attend court and talk about the incidents.

"We all saw the distress it caused her," he said.

Williams had taken advantage of her and knew she was infatuated with him because his wife told him so.

"You persisted in this and gratified your own sexual requirements in this way with this girl.

"To some extent, this was a case of sexual bullying. I have no alternative but to pass a custodial sentence on you.

"I have considered the guidelines. I have also considered the aggravating features of this case, which are the difference in age between you and the victim."

Following the trial, Avon and Somerset police confirmed that Williams was not and had not been an officer with the force.

Detective Constable Simon Watch from Taunton CID, who was the officer in charge of the case, said: "We are satisfied with the result of the trial.

"Williams took advantage of a young girl who was vulnerable and inexperienced, which is completely unacceptable."

He added: "As a police officer, I am disgusted that another officer would engage in criminal activity of any sort, particularly activities such as this.

"These crimes are extremely serious and we will relentlessly pursue anyone who breaks the law in this way."