A 30‑year‑old man who stalked a teenage girl before 'grabbing her' in a Stoke-on-Trent alleyway has been jailed.

Sabjan Burkazi, of Tunstall, was sentenced to three-years-and-four-months at Stoke‑on‑Trent Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 5 March) after he admitting engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, stalking causing serious alarm or distress and three counts of making an indecent images of children.

He had initially denied the offences but changed his plea to guilty shortly before his trial was due to start.

Detective Inspector Adam Goodger, from the Staffordshire Police child protection team, said " Burkazi caused significant distress through his behaviour.

"The victim's courage, combined with the thorough work of our officers in gathering the evidence, has ensured that he was held accountable for his crimes.

"This case demonstrates our continued commitment in Staffordshire to supporting those affected by these offences and taking strong action against those responsible."

It comes after Burkazi approached the victim as she walked through an alleyway in Tunstall in August last year.

Staffordshire Police explained that Burkazi grabbed her, but fled moments later when a member of the public intervened.

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He was arrested at his home shortly after.

A search of his mobile phone also uncovered indecent images of children.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "Following a robust investigation by officers from our public protection unit (PPU), we found that Burkazi had repeatedly targeted the same girl over several months, approaching her in public and asking for her phone number and social media details, which she refused to give."

They added: "The strength of the evidence gathered by officers was cited as a key factor in Burkazi's decision to enter guilty pleas in court."

As well as a custodial sentence, Burkazi was handed an indefinite restraining order, preventing any future contact with the victim, served with a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and put on the Sex Offenders Register for the next 10 years.