A 20-year-old man has been locked up for more than four years after sexually abusing a vulnerable 13-year-old girl who was under the supervision of social services.

Christopher Wilkinson, of Wyke Crescent, Wyke, Bradford, pleaded guilty to two offences of sexual activity with the child in 2011.

Prosecutor Felicity Davies said the girl was a “handful” to her family and, therefore, vulnerable when Wilkinson, then 19, began a sexual relationship with her.

After the case, Detective Chief Inspector Gail Lawrie, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, Operation Topaz, said: “Wilkinson subjected this young child to depraved acts of abuse which will likely have a lasting impact on her health and wellbeing.

“Children under 16 cannot consent to sexual activity under any circumstances and we cannot tolerate or accept such behaviour.

“West Yorkshire Police is committed to protecting the vulnerable in our communities and today’s sentence should underline the seriousness in which both the police and the courts view such offences.

“We commend the victim for showing the strength of character to come forward and enable the police to investigate this crime.”

Wilkinson was also sentenced for setting fire to a caravan and an empty cottage in Oakenshaw, Bradford, on May 10 last year. He admitted arson after causing £25,000 worth of uninsured damage to the building.

Wilkinson pleaded guilty to a further charge of arson when he set fire to a wheelie bin outside a hair dressing salon, causing £2,000 damage.

He was sent to a young offender institution for a total of four years and four months for all the offences.