IPSWICH: A paedophile who “groomed” a 15-year-old boy for sex after contacting him on a social networking site is today beginning a four-year jail term.

Paul Robinson, 39, met the boy on Facebook and after communicating with him by e-mail, text and telephone they met at Woodbridge railway station in February, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

On Valentine’s Day, Robinson took the boy out for a meal at a pub near Ipswich and during half-term they visited London, said Patricia Doggett, prosecuting.

On February 24, the boy had stayed overnight at Robinson’s home and sexual activity had taken place between them.

Robinson, of Rendlesham Road, Ipswich, admitted meeting a child following sexual grooming and two offences of sexual activity with a child.

Jailing him for four years, Judge John Holt said: “This was quite intensive grooming.”

Neil Saunders, for Robinson, said his client had no previous convictions and had lost his job because of the offences.

He said the victim had said that nothing happened with Robinson that he didn’t want to happen.

“He was a willing participant,” said Mr Saunders.

He said the period of grooming had been short and, in addition to being punished by the court, Robinson had suffered the public disgrace of his case being reported in the local press.

n Are laws on sex crimes tough enough? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starnews@archant.co.uk