A WATCHET man who sexually abused a teenaged girl has been given a 12-month prison sentence.

A judge told Mark Clausen, 41, he was "taking advantage of this young woman for your own sexual pleasure".

Clausen, of Gladstone Terrace, Watchet, admitted six offences of sexual activity and two of sexual assault.

Taunton Crown Court was told the offences came to light when the girl's mother became concerned and questioned her about a change in her behaviour, which she feared was due to drugs.

She told her mother she had been sexually abused and later repeated her accusation in front of Clausen, who did not react, said William Hunter, prosecuting.

Paul Light, for Clausen, said he knew he had done wrong but was confused at the time. He wished to make sure it did not happen again.

Judge Graham Hume Jones said the offences were a form of bullying and the aggravating features were that they happened on a number of occasions over a period of time, the age difference between them and a breach of trust.

The offences passed the custodial threshold, but he did not take the view Clausen was a danger to the public. He was ordered to sign the Sexual Offences Register for seven years.