A MAN branded "arrogant and self-centred"by a judge has been jailed for having sex with a child.

Mohammad Ahmed was sent to prison for two years today when Judge Peter Benson decided he used a 14-year-old girl as "easy prey".

Ahmed, 22, of Denby Street, Girlington, was also placed under a sexual harm prevention order when he was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court.

Judge Benson told him: "You set out in full knowledge of the girl's age to satisfy your own sexual desires. There is a risk of you committing offences against under-age females in future."

Ahmed's barrister had pleaded for an alternative to prison - a sex offenders' programme.

"What would custody achieve that a rigorous programme could not achieve," asked Frida Hussain, saying prison would "do more harm than good".

He had been 20 at the time and during the trial prosecutor Philip Standfast had pointed to the "significant age gap".

The jury heard he fled from the teenager's Bradford home when her parents arrived home unexpectedly.

The girl had alleged Ahmed had hit and kicked her before dragging her upstairs and raping her. Mr Standfast said she suffered bruising to her head, neck and legs.

However, the jury also heard the girl's father slapped, punched and kicked her after Ahmed had fled.

Ahmed told the court he "never laid a finger" on the girl and thought she was 17.

The jury convicted him of three counts of sexual activity with a child but he was acquitted of rape.

In mitigation yesterday, Miss Hussain argued the age gap was not so significant.

"He was not especially mature. He is willing to partake in a sex offenders programme and that bodes well for the future," she said.

"He made a grave error of judgment and had a rape charge hanging over him which has had untold effect.

"Prison has the potential of devastating consequences through association with people with more criminal attitudes than he has.

"The court could imprison him, but an offenders programme offers the prospect of work to unravel the messed-up thought processes which got him into this mess in the first place; to make reparation to the community and reform himself and his thinking.

"He has already lost a job through the case yet has still found work experience. He has family and prospects. Prison has the potential to do more harm than good."

But Judge Benson said: "You knew her age and took advantage of her vulnerability. She was easy prey and you encouraged her advances.

"Her mother warned you off but you went on to fulfil your sexual desires.

"You pleaded not guilty and came across to me as an arrogant and self-centred young man who has shown no real remorse.

"I don't think you will respond to a long custodial sentence in any meaningful way, but anyone who takes sexual advantage of a child must expect prison."

Ahmed was also placed on the sex offenders' register.