A WORCESTERSHIRE teenager who pressured a 13-year-old girl into having sex by threatening to kill himself has been spared an immediate spell in custody.

Jonathon Blackwell, of Elizabeth Avenue, Droitwich, put pressure on the girl to have sex when they met in a wooded area of Ombersley Road, Droitwich, Michael Aspinall, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court, until she finally gave in.

Blackwell, now aged 19, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child.

Timothy Greaves, defending, said Blackwell was of previous good character. He said Blackwell had learning difficulties and had experienced malicious communications at his home. He had been on bail for more than a year.

Recorder Rachel Brand, QC, said he had used "emotional blackmail" over a period of weeks.

"It was very wrong," she told him.

She accepted Blackwell was immature for his age but he had known the girl was under the age of consent.

She said she had decided to give him a chance and gave him a two-year sentence suspended for two years with supervision. He was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and to have no unsupervised contact with girls under 16 for five years. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.