St Ives man jailed for plying teenage girl with beer, cocaine and cannabis before sexually abusing her

A MAN plied a 15-year-old girl with cocaine, cannabis and alcohol before sexually abusing her, a court heard.

Michael Cross, 47, lured the teenager to his home in Bure Close, St Ives, on April 22, last year, as she was expecting to meet Cross’ daughter at his flat.

But instead he gave the victim drugs and beer before asking her to strip and encouraged her to engage in sexual activity.

The next day, the teenager told her mum who went to the police.

Cross admitted supplying cannabis and engaging in sexual activity with a child, but denied supplying cocaine, a further charge of sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was convicted of all charges following a trial at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (February 17) and was sentenced to eight years in prison for supplying cocaine. All other sentences will run at the same time.

He was also made the subject of a three-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Julia Boon, who led the investigation, said: “Cross took advantage of a vulnerable girl by sexually abusing her after getting her high on drugs.

“The sentence clearly shows how seriously such offences are taken by the court and should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks such behaviour is acceptable.”