The younger brother of a serial rapist serving life in prison sent sick sexual messages to an underage girl he groomed.

James Downworth, 32, was arrested after swapping vile and explicit messages with the child, with a view to them having a future sexual relationship, a court heard.

Police were called after the girl turned up unexpectedly at the home of a family member, who noticed Downworth outside.

He initially claimed he thought the girl was older, but later admitted knowing she was underage.

Downworth, from Denton, Tameside, admitted inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity at Minshull Street crown Court.

He and was told to enrol on a sex offender treatment programme as part of a 16-month jail term, suspended for two years.

Downworth was ordered to sign the sex offender register for 10 years and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order.

In 2013, Downworth's older brother Adam, now 38, was ordered to serve a minimum of 15 years in jail after he was convicted of attacks on five women.

(Image: Cavendish Press Manchester)

He used combat techniques he studied in Ninja Warrior books to overpower them as they walked home late at night.

Sentencing, Judge Paul Lawton told the younger Downworth sibling: "It is quite remarkable, given you have a brother who is serving a substantial sentence for serious sexual offences, that you did not learn from that emotional and psychological damage to your family.

"Count yourself fortunate that you are not going straight into custody."

He added: ''You knew this girl was extremely vulnerable - and yet you preyed upon that vulnerability.

"She believed she was in a relationship with you. That may have been down to her age, but girls deserve the full protection of the law from those who might prey upon them - i.e. the likes of you."

The court heard the investigation began after Downworth met the girl on up to three occasions.

Justin Hayhoe, prosecuting, said the girl's family member asked Downworth if he was with her, which he confirmed. She told him a report had been made to the police and he drove off.

Screen shots of messages on the girl's phone were later taken.

"They were effectively arranging to meet," Mr Hayhoe said.

(Image: Cavendish Press Manchester)

Details of some of the explicit messages, which included emojies and kisses, were read to the court. The content is too disturbing to be published.

"There were other messages exchanges of a sexual nature," Mr Hayhoe added.

"He was clearly sending sexualised messages and he was arrested. He accepted he sent those messages, but said he thought initially she was older. But did ultimately accept he knew her to be [underage].

"Other messages were that she would be cold in a skirt when discussing what she should wear.

"He accepted sending messages, but said there was no ulterior motive. It was simply flirting, but he didn’t accept what he was doing was wrong. He accepted meeting on two or three occasions."

The court heard Downworth was of previous good character.

Defence lawyer Denise Fitzpatrick said: "Although he did meet with her, no sexual activity took place thereafter."

At Adam Downworth's trial in 2013, prosecutors said he cruised the streets in his Citroen Berlingo vehicle so he could deliberately spot and ambush lone victims who had been drinking or socialising with friends.

After selecting his target, office cleaner Downworth would park his van then stalk and creep up upon the women on secluded roads and public parks.

He then incapacitated them using choking or throttling manoeuvres he learnt from his martial arts books before subjecting women to sadistic sexual attacks as they came round and pleaded for mercy.

One woman who begged Downworth to take her purse and mobile phone was told: "Look at my eyes.

(Image: Cavendish Press Manchester)

"It's all about teaching little b*****s like you that they can't walk on the street on their own when there's men like me about.

"It's not about the money.

"If it was about money, I'd have took it by now."

Another victim suffered several facial fractures after being kicked about the head and raped twice.

She feared she would die during a 30-minute ordeal as Downworth told her: "You're all dirty b*****s.

"No one will look at you again.''

Downworth claimed five victims during his 10-month reign of terror across Stockport and Manchester before being captured in September 2012.

While he was on the loose, women found walking alone at night were stopped and given lifts home by police to avoid them becoming his next victims.

During a raid officers found a library of martial arts books at the home of Downworth's mother including 'Secrets of the Ninja', 'The Invisible Ninja: Ancient Secrets of Surprise' and 'Knights of Darkness.'

He was convicted of 13 charges - including rape; attempted rape; assault by penetration; and assault occasioning actual and grievous bodily harm.

Police fear he may have claimed other victims who were too frightened to come forward.

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