A UK university academic travelled to Jersey to have sex with a 13-year-old girl he groomed on the internet, it has been claimed.

The 46-year-old man booked hotel rooms for the pair to have sex in when he visited the Island on five separate occasions, it has been alleged.

Trevor Jackson, a lecturer in biomedicine at the University of Newcastle, allegedly travelled to the Island between 2005 and 2006 after making contact with the teenage girl.

Mr Jackson, of Jesmond, Newcastle, was arrested after police investigated his trips to Jersey and he was charged with a number of counts of sexual activity with a child following grooming. He was released on bail. Further charges of possessing indecent images of children were also added after police seized his computer.

Details of the academic’s alleged trips to Jersey emerged at a recent hearing at Newcastle Crown Court to discuss progress of the case.

He is due to enter pleas to the charges at the court tomorrow and remains on bail. Mr Jackson no longer works at the University of Newcastle.