A sex abuser has been jailed for five years after a teenaged girl told a friend on Facebook that she was having sex with him.
Carlos do Rosario faces deportation to Portugal after a judge told him he had caused psychological damage to the girl, who has a history of self-harming.
He had sex with the girl on two occasions at his home in Dawlish before the girl wrote a Facebook message to a schoolmate which revealed what was going on.
Her friend contacted an NSPCC helpline that evening and the police were called in. Do Rosario admitted having full or oral sex with the girl on three or four occasions in the month before his arrest.
He claimed she had initiated the activity, despite her being more than 40 years younger than him, Exeter Crown Court was told.
Do Rosario, aged 59, of West Cliff, Dawlish, admitted four offences of sexual activity with a child and was jailed for five years by Recorder Mr Philip Mott, QC.
He told him: 'At the time the complainant was a troubled girl who was self-harming. Whether or not this was caused directly by your behaviour, she was particularly vulnerable.
'You could have brought this activity to a very swift end but failed to do so.
'While the activity would appear to have been initiated by her, it was in fact because of your inappropriate behaviour. It was encouraged by you. You blurred boundaries which ought to have existed.'
Mr Sean Brunton, prosecuting, said the sexual activity took place for about a month and came to light when the victim wrote a Facebook message to a friend who called the NSPCC. A medical examination confirmed her allegations.
Mr Gareth Evans, defending, said all the sexual activity was consensual and was carried out over a short period of time. He said any jail sentence will be more difficult than usual because do Rosario speaks very little English.
Do Rosario was cleared of eight rapes and 13 sexual assaults relating to the victim and another girl, aged 11 at a trial in Exeter .
An NSPCC spokesman in South West England said: “It is clear that do Rosario preyed on his victim’s age and vulnerability for his own sexual gratification.
“The victim in this case showed tremendous courage to speak out about what had happened, while her friend did the right thing in seeking advice and support so they could help.
“The NSPCC’s helplines are available 24/7, free of charge, to keep children safe. It is vital that anyone facing abuse, or those with concerns for a young person’s welfare, have confidence that their voices will be heard – rather than suffer in silence, as sadly many do.”
Any adult with concerns about a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, while children and young people can call Childline on 0800 1111.