A YOUTH worker from Droitwich has been sentenced to more than three years imprisonment by a judge at Worcester Crown Court, after ‘grooming’ a 13-year-old boy for sex.

The court heard how Philip Poke, 23, of St Richard’s Gardens in Droitwich, built up a relationship with the boy between June 2012 and January 2013.

An investigation was launched by West Mercia Police after Poke was found to be talking in a sexually explicit way to the victim online, and meeting him in person on several occasions where they exchanged sexual acts.

DC Sarah Wood who investigated the case, said: “We will continue to take crimes of this nature very seriously and believe the sentencing sends a very clear message that the courts take it very seriously too.

“This offender was in a position of trust, and abused that position to build up an inappropriate relationship with a teenager. We will continue to do all we can to protect children and young people who are at risk.”

Poke was jailed for three years and four months.