A 24-year-old paedophile has been jailed today after she sexually abused a vulnerable 13-year-old girl who later tried to kill herself.

Martine Brayshaw, then 22, befriended the vulnerable teenager who was struggling with a difficult home life, in 2017.

The friendship turned into sexual abuse over a two month period, and was only uncovered when the schoolgirl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was confronted by her mother.

The youngster tried to take her own life, but after being treated in hospital told police about the abuse.

Later Brayshaw, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, turned up at the girl's home, threw a burning rag at the property and screamed abuse at the girl and her mother threatening to 'get people round'.

Martine Brayshaw (left and right), then 22, befriended the vulnerable teenager who was struggling with a difficult home life, in 2017.

On her Facebook profile, Brayshaw claims she works for American clothing retailer Hollister, and under the education section, said she went to the 'pupil referral unit.'

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Brayshaw, now 24, was jailed for 30 months after she was convicted of seven charges of sexual activity with a child and two offences of witness intimidation.

She was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to sign the Sex Offender Register for ten years. She was also banned from contacting the victim for five years under the terms of a restraining order.

She denied wrongdoing and has since been beaten up. The court heard the abuse took place in 2017.

Andrew Macintosh prosecuting said: 'The girl was befriended by this defendant while she was going through a difficult time with her mother. That friendship became sexual.

'The defendant and the complainant would kiss, she would touch the complainant's breasts, touch her bottom over clothing.

'In the early part of late summer 2017 the complainant was challenged by her mother about what had occurred that resulted in an argument.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Brayshaw, now 24, was jailed for 30 months after she was convicted of seven charges of sexual activity with a child and two offences of witness intimidation

'As a result the complainant tried to commit suicide and was taken to hospital where she was detained for a brief period before being discharged.

'At that time she denied to her mother that there was any relationship between the two but she subsequently stated to the police there had been some kissing. She then admitted that matters had gone much further.

'Following that disclosure she was interviewed and disclosed to officers what the nature of the relationship was, subsequently in the March of 2018 an incident occurs giving rise to the witness intimidation.

Mr Macintosh said that Brayshaw was seen outside the victim's house while on police bail, being abusive and throwing a burning rag on a fence.

He added: 'She denied in interview anything of a sexual nature had happened and denied she had been the person seen to throw the rag onto the fence, these are denials she maintained throughout the trial. So far as the victim is concerned it had a significant effect upon her she feels betrayed by the actions of Ms Brayshaw.

Brayshaw (right and left) was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to sign the Sex Offender Register for ten years. She was also banned from contacting the victim for five years under the terms of a restraining order.

'There are elements of disparity in age it is clear that at the time the relationship started the victim was a vulnerable young girl. It was evident to this defendant she had a troubled relationship with her mother.'

In mitigation defence lawyer Craig MacGregor said his client was on the autistic spectrum.

He added: 'Martine has been beat up, she had left her job of two years, she had also been attacked on the street and kicked in the face - but no further action was taken because it wasn't in the interests of justice. Martine has felt aggrieved that no one was listening to her side.

'She presents with complex developmental disorder, a lack of awareness, a lack of understanding, misinterpretation of other people's intentions.'

But sentencing Judge Mark Savill told Brayshaw: 'Over a two-month period you entered into a consensual but illegal and criminal relationship with that child. She was a child and you were an adult albeit with difficulties.

'She was an individual who was struggling with life and you were certainly aware of difficulties she had that were perhaps a bit more than just teenage anger with a parent. Nevertheless, a relationship started between you.

In mitigation defence lawyer Craig MacGregor said his client was on the autistic spectrum

'Whilst on bail having been interviewed by the police two months later you attended in the middle of the night at the home address of the victim.

'You shouted, screamed abuse outside the property before making threats of violence, of getting people round to the house and setting fire to an item of clothing which you place on the fence.

'I have heard the evidence of the mother and the victim and for them knowing that they were witnesses in a very serious set of sexual allegations to have someone come to their house would have been extremely frightening.

'It must be understood any sentence passed must be a deterrent, witnesses must be protected.

'I don't take the view that there was grooming behaviour to some extent there was in this relationship you found yourself in, you being an adult she being a child looking to find a friend in the storm of her teenage years.

'However you had your difficulties it seems to me you are not somebody who was engaging in grooming behaviour you didn't specifically target this individual. Although there is a 10 year of so gap in your ages understanding and maturity is significantly reduced.

'The harm in this case is ongoing, effects on the victim have been severe, you are not solely responsible for the attempt on her own life but no doubt contributed to that.

'I have considered carefully the impact such a sentence will have on an individual such as yourself but the impact upon an offender in your situation perhaps doesn't carry as much weight as first blush might assume.'