Kirk Yates of Fishergate Hill

A Preston man who groomed a teenager on social media before abducting him has been jailed.

Kirk Yates, 18, of Fishergate Hill, had pleaded guilty to abducting the boy from the Skelmersdale area in August last year.

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His victim, 13, was befriended on Facebook and they met a number of times.

DC Libby Wadsworth from Preston Police said: “Yates befriended and groomed a vulnerable young boy on Facebook.

“I am happy with the sentence handed out, which means that more young people are protected from people like Yates.

“We know the internet is now so widely used, especially by young people, but we have to make sure they stay safe.

“I urge parents to keep any eye on what their children are doing while on the internet and understand what websites they are using and who they are speaking to. It is important that both adults and children understand the risks.”

Yates, who appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, was sentenced to two years and two months in prison and was given a sexual harm prevention order.

He had also pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.

Anybody with information or concerns about a person being groomed on the internet can contact police on 101 or call Operation Deter on 01772 209122. Alternatively people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Lancashire Police have a dedicated section of online safety advice, which covers how to keep your child safe online.