A PERVERT who led a young girl into prostitution and took lewd photos of her has been jailed for more than two years.

Gerard Moran, of Alexandra Road, east Reading, admitted to four counts of making indecent images of children and one count of taking an indecent photograph of a child.

Over the course of four years, starting in 2009, the 50-year-old committed the offences against the same female victim.

He denied a further charge of causing child prostitution but was convicted by a unanimous jury at Amersham Crown Court on May 6.

On the day of his sentencing at Aylesbury Crown Court last Friday he also admitted to a further count of possession of a Class A drug.

He was jailed for a total of two years and two months.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Becky Tyler, from High Wycombe Force CID, said: "Over a period of four years, Moran committed offences against the victim, who was under the age of 18.

"He caused the child into prostitution and took an indecent image of this child.

"Further images of an indecent nature were located on devices found within his possession.

"I am pleased to see that as a result of this investigation, Moran has been brought to justice and is now behind bars.

"I would like to commend the bravery of the victim in this case in coming forward to police and working with us to secure this conviction against Moran."