A PAEDOPHILE ‘kissed and cuddled’ a 14-year-old girl in Warrington before booking a hotel room for them both.

Callum Abbott was 21 years old when he committed the vile offence in the town centre.

Abbott, now 23, appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to being an offender aged 18 or over engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 14.

Prosecuting, Amanda York told the court how the offence happened in March 2020.

Ms York revealed that since the incident the victim has suffered from panic attacks.

Defending, Mr Derbyshire, said that his client suffers from ‘complex mental health issues’ and has a history of substance abuse.

He said that a custodial sentence would be ‘detrimental’ to Abbott's mental health and well-being.

Mr Derbyshire said that Abbott, of Newtown, Wales, is aware of the mistakes he made and has already taken steps to ‘address his offending behaviour’.

Abbott was handed a two-year community order in which he must complete up to 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a Horizons Programme - an intervention delivered to men who have a sexual conviction.

He is also subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a five-year restraining order and must abide by sex offender registration requirements.