Upon being arrested, Halstein told police he “just wanted to have fun.”

Analysis of his phone showed that he had previously performed a web search for “sex with minors in England”.

Halstein, a German national of no fixed address, admitted six offences: engaging in penetrative and non-penetrative sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with a child and organizing or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offense when booking the hotel room.

The heartbreaking impact of her crime was summed up in a graphic statement given by the girl’s mother, who said she hoped the teenager was “strong enough to get through all of this.”

Counseling was provided to the girl, who spoke of rarely leaving her house and feeling guilty about what happened.

In sentencing Halstein on Friday, Judge Barker told him it was his responsibility to keep the boy safe.

Brendan O’Leary, mitigating, said the defendant had no previous criminal convictions and expressed “his genuine and sincere remorse”.

In addition to the prison sentence, Halstein will have to sign the sex offenders register and comply with a strict prevention order, both for life.

You will also be prohibited from working with children and vulnerable adults.