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A dangerous 'monster' who raped and abused two vulnerable victims has been jailed for life.

Peter Anderson subjected the young women to shocking sex attacks and his victims suffered degrading abuse at his hands. The 30-year-old pervert, of Easington Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, who has 11 previous convictions, including for assault, was convicted of 13 offences.

In relation to the first victim, he was found guilty of two counts of rape, sexual activity with a child, blackmail, false imprisonment and controlling or coercive behaviour. In relation the second victim, he was convicted of four counts of rape, a sexual assault, causing a person to engage in sexual activity and controlling coercive behaviour.

Both victims outlined the severe trauma they endured at his hands, with one of them branding him a "monster" and a judge calling him "an extremely dangerous man". He must serve at least 14 years of the life sentence before he can be considered for parole and will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The first girl, who he first kissed when she was 15, said in a victim impact statement read to Newcastle Crown Court: "Before (this) I was a fun and outgoing young lady, a child. I was absolutely terrified of him.

"I would frequently wake up during the night screaming. I've had repeated nightmares - one I can't forget of him trying to force entry by trying to smash the door. I know it's a nightmare but it's so vivid it feels like a memory.

"He still plagues me in my sleep and I fear this will last the rest of my life. I feel anger at the thought of what one person can do to another."

The second victim said: "I went from an outgoing independent young lady to a shell of my former self. I was terrified of him. The effects are going to last a lifetime.

"I have trouble sleeping and I feel worthless." She added that the trauma left her suicidal.

Sentencing Anderson, Judge Julie Clemitson said: "At trial you represented yourself. You clearly demonstrated repeatedly to be narcissistic, paranoid, domineering and manipulative.

"You adopted one persona in front of the jury and quite another when they were not in the room. You tried to shout me down and lost your temper one time when I tried to speak to (the prosecutor).

"You demonstrated a complete lack of empathy towards (the victims), showing a callous disregard to both of them. You demonstrated how domineering you could be during your evidence. You walked back to the dock making v-signs to the public gallery.

"You conducted your case with breathtaking arrogance, even asking for feedback on your cross-examination of one witness. You displayed absolutely no remorse but in fact demonstrated an arrogant, entitled attitude to them and those who supported them.

"You made various allegations of misconduct towards various professionals involved in the case."

Judge Clemitson added: "You pose a significant risk of causing serious harm in the future to members of the public. You have shown now insight into your own culpability or the harm you have caused and you appear to have an unflappable belief in your own superiority.

"You are very clearly a dangerous offender. It's likely you will pose a serious risk to others indefinitely."

The judge praised the courage of the victims, saying: "Peter Anderson is an extremely dangerous man who has been brought to justice and the public are going to be kept safe for a lengthy period of time as a result of the courage shown by (the victims).

"He is the most difficult person I have dealt with in 30 years in the criminal justice system."

Peter Schofield, defending, said: "It's right to observe Mr Anderson has strong views about his case. Much of what is contended, he does not accept.

"He has not received a custodial sentence previously. He needs specialist help for his personality disorder. He worked for Nissan for more than a year in the past."

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Stewart Polson, 69, targeted youngsters for repeated indecent assaults for more than a decade at addresses in Edinburgh for his own gratification before going on to commit further sex crimes.

A vile paedophile who preyed on children by perpetrating a catalogue of abuse including rape was jailed for 13 years on Monday.

Stewart Polson, 69, targeted youngsters for repeated indecent assaults for more than a decade at addresses in Edinburgh for his own gratification before going on to commit further sex crimes. His former partner David Sinclair, 63, who also joined him in some of the abuse against two girls was jailed for 45 months.

A judge told Polson at the High Court in Edinburgh: "Because of the gravity of the crimes a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal in your case." Judge Fiona Tait said that in statements provided by two of the victims they had spoken about the destruction of their childhoods.

She told Polson: "You maintain your denial of the commission of these offences and show no remorse for your conduct." The judge said victims had shown "considerable courage" to come forward and give evidence against him.

Polson, a prisoner, had denied a string of charges during an earlier trial but was found guilty of nine crimes, including indecent conduct, indecent assault and rape. The bulk of his offending took place between 1976 and 1989 at houses in the Edinburgh area and was against two girls and a boy.

One girl was targeted from the age of six and the other was aged eight when the abuse began. The second child was subjected to a rape ordeal by Polson.

But Polson, who previous convictions for violent and sexual crime, went on to indecently assault a further girl, then aged seven, at a house in a Stirlingshire village in 1993 before sexually assaulting another 12-year-old girl at an address in Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire.

Sinclair, formerly of Abbey Street, in Edinburgh, took part in the abuse of two of the girls in the 1980s in Edinburgh. He had denied a single charge of indecent assault committed on various occasions but was found guilty.

The judge told the first offender: "This was a crime of considerable gravity and it will have had a substantial impact on each of the two complainers." Polson told the court that he had met Sinclair at the Laughing Duck pub, which he described as a gay bar, in the city in 1983 and they became a couple for a time.

He claimed that he was living in Bournemouth, in England, at the time of some of the offending and said: "None of the allegations are true at all." Both men were placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely following their sentencing today.

Detective Inspector Jonny Wright, who led the investigation, said: Stewart Polson and David Sinclair abused children together, whilst Polson himself targeted children over the course of four decades across Scotland.

Thanks to the courage of their survivors in reporting the attacks against them, we were able to build a significant case against both men that ultimately resulted in their convictions in court.

Their prison sentences should send a clear message that that there is no time limit on when you can report sexual abuse. We will always conduct a thorough investigation, no matter how long ago the incidents occurred and we will do all we can to bring perpetrators of such offences to justice.

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A man who subjected a girl then aged between 10 and 11 to a series of sexual assaults for more than a year in West Sussex sixteen years ago, has now faced justice with a seven year prison sentence.

Gavin Wright, 50, now of Norfolk Way, Uckfield, was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court on 2 August having been convicted of six sexual assaults and for possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

Detective Constable Ellen Jones of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: "Wright came to know the young and vulnerable girl whilst living in East Grinstead, gradually gained her confidence and then systematically abused her for his own sexual gratification.

"When we arrested Wright we found in his possession vile indecent images of children being abused.

"While we were investigating his sexual assaults, our colleagues in the force's Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) were investigating his more recent though completely unrelated online activities. They had found that another sex offender was messaging him and sending these images who he then sent on to others.

"So he received four-and-a-half years for the sexual assaults and an additional two-and-a-half years for the online offending.

"He will also be a registered sex offender for life, and was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last until further notice, severely restricting his access to children and digital devices.

"In addition he was given a court Restraining Order prohibiting him from any contact with his victim."

The victim who finally found the resolution and courage to tell the police, told the court: "My reason for reporting the incident was to expose him for what he is to the world manipulative and dangerous - and ensure that what I went through is never allowed to be repeated and affect the life of any other young person. No person deserves to have any of this happen to them. He deserves to face the consequences of his actions now and in the future."

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A 'bankrupt' ex-soldier from Staffordshire who abused two schoolchildren has been locked up. Former tank commander Patrick Elkin's offending only came to light when his two young victims revealed all to their parents.

The sex offender, who is now bankrupt after building up a 41,000 debt, served in Northern Ireland and the First Gulf War. Elkin, 64, has since been branded a 'monster' by the mum of one of his victims.

The mum went on to say his vile crimes could 'never be forgiven'. It comes after he was handed a four-year prison sentence for grooming the children and then sexually abusing them, StokeonTrentLive reports.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how 'lonely' Elkin was arrested in 2020 after the children bravely spoke out about their ordeals. Elkin, of Longbrook Avenue, Blurton, later admitted sexual activity with a boy under 16 and two counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13.

The boy said Elkin had touched his private area a number of times. The abuse stopped when he sent Elkin a message saying he did not like it. In a statement read to the court, the schoolboy said he might want to punch the defendant if he saw him again.

Elkin's second victim told how he had touched her private area on more than one occasion. She also revealed that he had squeezed her breasts once, prosecutor Tom Sherrington said.

The girl said she is worried he has done it to someone else or might do it in the future. Her mum added: "What he has done can never be forgiven. He is nothing but a monster."

The former soldier was arrested on December 18, 2020. Barry White, defending, said Elkin - who has no previous convictions - fully accepts what he has done. Mr White said: "He expresses genuine remorse, shame, and his words to me, disgust at what he did.

"He has not sought to bring this matter to a trial. He is now a much more lonely man. He does recognise the impact his actions have had on the victims."

He said the defendant will lose all his possessions if sent to prison. He added that Elkin has a number of health conditions and recently became bankrupt after accruing a 41,000 debt.

Mr White added: "He understands this a very serious matter and the custody threshold is passed. I do ask, if there is any way this matter can be suspended I would encourage the court to consider that."

Judge Graeme Smith said: "You have taken those children's innocence. They were very brave to speak out in the way they did.

"Your actions have had a significant impact on the lives of the two children and will no doubt continue to have for much of their adult life."

Elkin must serve two thirds of the sentence before he is released. He was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Speaking after the case Detective Constable Tracy Adams, of Staffordshire Polices Child Protection and Exploitation Team (CPET), said: I would like to commend the victims bravery in coming forward to report what happened to them.

Im pleased that the judge handed Elkin a custodial sentence for his offending and hope that it provides some comfort for the victims and their families.

I would like to encourage anyone who may be a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report it to us, regardless of when the abuse occurred, as we will do all we can to support you and bring offenders to justice.

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For more than 30 years evil Ronald Castree thought he'd got away with murder. He'd stood by as Stefan Kiszko, an innocent and vulnerable man, was jailed for a crime he didn't commit.

And when even that horrendous miscarriage of justice was eventually overturned, arrogant Castree sat back and carried on living a lie. But advances in DNA technology would eventually mean his terrible past would catch up with him.

Lesley Molseed was just 11-years-old when, on October 5, 1975, wearing a a blue coat, pleated skirt and stripey Bay City Rollers socks, she was sent to the shop close to her home in Turf Hill, Rochdale to buy a loaf of bread for her mum. Known as 'Lel' to her family, Lesley had learning difficulties and attended a nearby special school, while a congenital heart condition meant she was small for her age.

Tragically she never made it home. Castree, thought to have been on the way to visit his wife and new born son in hospital, snatched her off street in his taxi. Her body was found three days later face down on moorland between Oldham and Ripponden, around 40 yards off the A672.

She had been stabbed 12 times and sexually assaulted. Her death sent shockwaves through the community and sparked a huge manhunt, led by West Yorkshire Police.

Soon, the finger of suspicion fell on Stefan Kiszko, a 23-year-old man with learning difficulties. He lived near Lesley and, in the minds of detectives, was the kind of man who might fit the profile of the killer.

A timid and teetotal tax clerk and church-goer, Mr Kiszko was arrested after three girls told police he had indecently exposed himself to them just days before Lesley was found dead. It was the start of one of the worst miscarriages of justice in UK history.

Mr Kiszko had never been in trouble with police before. But his unusual hobby of noting down number plates - he had jotted down the number of one car which had been seen near the crime scene - roused further suspicion of this 'odd' man.

After two days of relentless questioning by West Yorkshire detectives with no solicitor present to help him, Mr Kiszko, who had the mental age of a 12-year-old, 'confessed' to Lesley's murder. He had been told he could go home if he did.

He later claimed he had been bullied into making the confession. On Christmas Eve 1975 he was charged with Lesley's murder.

He was convicted after a trial at Leeds Crown Court in which his defence team, led by David Waddington QC, who would later become Home Secretary under Margaret Thatcher, made a string of mistakes. Mr Waddington pursued a diminished responsibility defence which wasn't authorised by Mr Kiszko, who maintained his innocence throughout and said he had never even met Lesley.

The defence also failed to call key witnesses and failed to call for an adjournment when thousands of pages of additional material were submitted on the first morning of the trial. Meanwhile evidence was also suppressed by police and not disclosed to the defence or the jury.

On July 21, 1976, after five hours and 32 minutes deliberation, the jury found Mr Kiszko guilty of murder by a majority of 10 to two. He was given a life sentence and went on to serve 16 years in prison, during which time he was repeatedly attacked by other inmates who saw him as a convicted sex offender.

On one occasion he needed 17 stitches for a head wound and he went on to develop schizophrenia. But throughout his incarceration, Mr Kiszko's remarkable mother Charlotte protested his innocence and fought for his release.

Her campaign was to be successful, although it took 16 long and lonely years before her son walked free. It was, according to Tory MP Anthony Beaumont-Dark, 'the worst miscarriage of all time'.

In March 1991, a police investigation into the original trial began, which discovered errors in the case. Evidence which might have established Mr Kiszko's innocence at the outset was uncovered.

It was established that Mr Kiszko could not have been the killer as he was infertile. Semen discovered on Lesley's clothing had contained heads of sperm. The girls who had told the trial that Mr Kiszko had exposed himself to them finally admitted they had lied.

In February 1992 Mr Kiszko was cleared and released from prison. Speaking after his release, he said he was enjoying 'sleeping in in the mornings' and catching up with friends.

He was told he would receive 500,000 in compensation for the time he had spent in prison and revealed he wanted to visit Australia and America and 'have a good time'. In an interview with theManchester Evening News at the time Mrs Kiszko spoke of her unstinting belief in her son's innocence.

"When you are 100 per cent sure your son is innocent you fight to the very end," she said. "It is the only thing that has kept me going.

Looking back on the years she said: "There was prejudice against us because we were foreign. Ever since Stefan was taken away I have felt sick when I have seen children murdered.

"There have been many since he went away, but some murderers have been walking the streets again, while my Stefan has been held in jail. Where is the justice in that?"

But tragically none of Mr Kiszko's dreams came to pass. He died the following year of a massive heart attack aged just 41.

He had received an interim compensation payment but not the full sum. Four months later his mother died and the pair are buried together in Rochdale Cemetery.

In 1994, a surviving senior West Yorkshire officer, who worked on the original investigation, along with a retired forensic scientist, were charged with perverting the course of justice by allegedly suppressing evidence relating to the results of tests on semen taken from the victim's body and from the accused. The case did not reach a jury after it was challenged by defence barristers who argued that the passage of time had made a fair trial impossible.

And it was to be another 12 years before justice finally caught up with the real killer, Ronald Castree. The father-of-three, who by this time ran a comic book shop on the outskirts of Rochdale town centre, was said to be a vain, abusive and arrogant bully, a serial philanderer.

In spite of the many mistakes made by police in the original investigation, the one thing they did do right was preserve evidence from the murder scene. A forensic scientist had used Sellotape on Lesley's underwear and acquired enough material for a DNA profile to eventually be done. It was to prove of little use at the time, but would be crucial more than 30 years later.

In October 2005 Castree was arrested after a sex worker, who said she met him in a hotel room, made a complaint of sexual assault. Even no though charges were ever brought against him, Castree's DNA was taken and placed in a national database.

It turned out to be a direct match to the DNA taken from Lesley's underwear. Police then knew they'd finally found the killer.

On Bonfire Night 2006, Castree was arrested at his home in Brandon Crescent, in Shaw, Oldham, on suspicion of murdering Lesley Molseed. As he was taken into police custody he was alleged to have told one police officer 'I've been expecting this for years,' something he later denied saying.

At the trial it emerged that Lesley was not the only vulnerable, young schoolgirl that Castree attacked in the mid-1970s. He also sexually assaulted a nine-year-old who he abducted in his taxi in Rochdale, the court heard.

Castree was convicted of the offence and fined, but not sent to jail. It was less than a year after Lesley's death, but detectives never questioned Castree because, by that point, Stefan Kiszko was already in jail.

Alongside the DNA match it was to prove to be a crucial part of the evidence that finally brought Castree to justice. On November 12, 2007 a jury at Bradford Crown Court convicted Castree of murder by a majority of 10 to two, coincidentally exactly the same majority as in Stefan's case.

In tears in the dock, Castree claimed he was the victim of a second miscarriage of justice. But the judge, Mr Justice Openshaw, cut him off telling him: "No, you have had your say; your past has now caught up with you."

Castree was sentenced to life imprisonment. Mr Justice Openshaw recommended that he serve at least 30 years before being considered for parole. By that time he would be 84-years-old.

As he was taken from the dock Castree called out, 'I did not do it'. Mr Kiszko's aunt Anne, the last surviving member of the family, said: "God knows how many other lives Castree has ruined. You are not telling me he's only done one murder in 32 years. If you are capable of doing such a despicable act then you just don't stop."

In a statement outside court Lesley's mother April said: "We are relieved that after so long our quest for justice for Lesley is now over."

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A predator wore a Christmas jumper to make himself look "endearing" before carrying out a terrifying public toilet sex attack on a schoolboy.

Patrick Livingstone, who is subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, sported the festive garment to make him appear "harmless" as he lurked around the lavatories in Newcastle in November 2020. When a teenager went in and used a urinal, he was targeted by the 54-year-old serial sex offender, ordered into a cubicle and subjected to a terrifying ordeal.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley told Newcastle Crown Court the youth "froze" and felt "powerless" during the attack. The victim said in a statement: "When it happened I was in total shock and panic. I was terrified the male was going to go further."

The boy said he felt "paranoid, scared and sick" afterwards. Mr Espley said charity shop worker Livingstone deliberately wore the Christmas jumper "in an attempt to make himself look endearing and no threat and harmless when in reality he's anything but."

Livingstone has convictions for sex offences in the 1990s and was jailed for attempted grooming and trying to incite sexual activity with two different underage boys in 2017. At the time of the toilet attack he was on bail for a child sex attack carried out on a boy over 30 years ago.

After staying silent for more than three decades about what Livingstone did to him, the brave victim spoke out when he saw a newspaper article about the 2017 offences. Mr Espley said: "He never told anyone until he reported it because he saw an article about Mr Livingstone being convicted for sexual offences."

The victim branded Livingstone a "monster" and said the attack on him had a "huge impact" on his life. He said: "Nothing will take away how I feel about this and it doesn't get any easier to deal with.

"I waited almost 30 years to tell the police what had he did to me, living in fear and shame. The newspaper article made me get in touch with the police about what he did. It was an article about how he had been sent to prison.

"That shows to me he will never change, he's a danger to children. Him being left to be free puts children at risk. I will never be free of what he did to me."

Livingstone, of St. John's Green, Percy Main, North Shields, admitted indecent assault in relation to the historic offence as well as sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity without consent in relation to the toilet attack. He also admitted three charges of breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in relation to conversations with and messages sent to children.

Judge Robert Adams sentenced Livingstone to four years and eight months behind bars with a five year extended licence. The court heard probation officials assessed Livingstone as a "significant risk of causing serious harm to members of the public, particularly teenagers or adolescents, especially boys."

Judge Adams agreed with the conclusion and said: "He is dangerous." The judge told Livingstone: "You are a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public, particularly children and adolescent boys."

The court heard Livingstone has learning difficulties and is "lonely and isolated" but now has a partner. Helen Towers, defending, said Livingstone is "capable of rehabilitation".

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A young sex offender who 'loves little boys' and 'thinks rape videos are awesome' is back behind bars for his latest offences. James Cartwright, 21, has several offences on his record including making child abuse images, sexual touching and distributing indecent images.

In messages to other paedophiles, Cartwright previously described sex attack videos as 'awesome' and also said he loved little boys so much. He has been assessed as being a high risk of serious harm to male and female children.

Now Cartwright has been brought back before Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court and jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to three offences of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register. The latest prison sentence comes after he was jailed for 21 months in September last year for two offences of breaching the SHPO.

The court heard his latest breaches involved him having a virtual private network; using Snapchat to delete information; and contacting a child he knew to be under the age of 16. And he breached the notification requirements by failing to inform the police of social media names and aliases.

Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said the defendant, of Albert Street, Newcastle, and formerly of Burslem, admitted in his police interview to having items on his phone which he should not have had. Mr Muldoon said: "He is still only 21. He recognises he has issues in relation to the way he conducts himself.

"At the moment he has not undertaken any programmes or approved courses to address these issues. At only 21 there is enough time for him to address issues and carry out approved courses and put himself in a position to comply with the orders of the court."

Judge Graeme Smith said: "This is a worrying case because at a relatively young age you have already amassed a number of convictions for very similar offences. You are now back in front of the court for having a virtual private network; setting up Snapchat to delete information; contacting a child you knew or believed to be under 16 - all breaches of the SHPO; and failing to notify the offender manager of social media names and aliases - a breach of the notification requirements.

"You know the police can and will attend without notice to check whether you are complying and you have been in custody on previous occasions because of breaches. These are very serious matters.

"You are still young. You have not had the opportunity to undertake any registered sex offender courses. It is to be hoped at some stage you will have that opportunity and you will take it."

Cartwright will serve half the sentence in custody with the rest on licence.

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A long distance lorry driver has been jailed after he sent pictures of his private parts and videos of him performing a sex act to a '14-year-old girl'. Anthony Walker felt lonely and isolated and made contact with the 'girl' via Kik on social media.

But the 'girl' was in fact an undercover operative on the hunt for paedophiles. The defendant, under the username 'Like to have fun', soon sexualised the conversation and sent her private messages, pictures of his private parts and videos of himself masturbating.

Now Walker, 34, has been jailed for 21 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Prosecutor Jennifer Josephs said:

"The defendant thought he was chatting to a 14-year-old girl. But it was an undercover operative known as L who was posing as a 14-year-old girl.

"L had joined a group called UK Schoolies and on July 20 last year she indicated she was 14-years-old. She was removed from the group for not uploading a photo of herself in school uniform when requested.

"The defendant sent a message saying he was 30 and his private messages were open. He sent her a private message asking if she was really 14 and asking for photos which she sent him.

"He made the chat sexual very quickly and sent a picture of a testicle. He sent pictures of his erect penis. He wanted her to send him pictures live but she continued to send a stooge photo."

The defendant sent videos of him performing a sex act on himself from his cab. Miss Josephs said: "He talked about her sitting on his knee. He continued to send pictures of his erect penis."

The defendant was arrested on November 9.

Walker, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and three charges of attempting to cause a child to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, urged Judge Sally Hancox to suspend any prison sentence. He said the defendant has worked as an HGV driver for 12 years and will lose his job if he receives a prison sentence.

The dad-of-two is separated from his wife but has supervised contact with his children. Mr Cliff added:

"At the time he was in a low place emotionally. He was isolated because of the long hours he worked as a goods driver."

But Judge Hancox said thousands of drivers work long hours driving up and down the country without committing the same crimes. Judge Hancox said:

"You believed her to be a 14-year-old girl. You described you became lonely and isolated and that is why you may have become engaged in this behaviour. There are many thousands of people who drive up and down the country who do not turn to the type of behaviour that you have shown in this case.

"Those who carry out offences of this nature do so purely for their own gratification. You asked to have penetrative sexual activity. It involved you sending images of you masturbating. In my judgement, this is not a sentence that should be suspended."

Walker was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 10 years and was placed on the sex offenders' register for the same period.

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Parents were horrified to discover a convicted sex offender had been having sinister contact with their children.

Daniel Sloan sought to ingratiate himself with youngsters, who thought he was being kind by buying doughnuts, showing off his double joints and telling them he did gymnastics. But in reality he was a paedophile with a disturbing sexual interest in children.

In April 2018 Sloan was jailed for three years for attempted grooming and inciting sexual activity of a child and he was given a sexual harm prevention order which banned him from having or seeking contact with a child unless their parent knew of his conviction, allowed such contact and it was supervised.

Having been released, Sloan had already breached the order when he went on to have prohibited contact with children in Hebburn. A mum of a ten-year-old girl noticed him watching the children playing on a grass verge and she also saw him speaking to one of the children.

One evening in June, the mother returned home to find her daughter playing in her friend's front garden and Sloan was speaking to them over a garden fence. The woman took her child inside and asked what he had been saying. She replied that he had been "really kind", showing them his double joints and how he could go cock-eyed.

Christopher Rose, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court : "She said he had held a ruler above his head and her friend was trying to jump up for it. Her friend had taken off her shoe and soiled her feet and the defendant suggested she have a shower.

"The mum asked her daughter his name and when told she Googled him. She was shocked and alarmed at what she found out and informed other parents and the police."

The mum said in a victim impact statement: "I felt sick to the stomach at the thought of anything else happening to the children. I wish I had found out earlier, this has caused me distress, worry and anxiety."

A dad of a younger girl also saw Sloan talking to her. Mr Rose said: "On one occasion, he looked out of the upstairs window and noticed his daughter was not in the garden, where she should have been. He was concerned and went downstairs and saw his daughter step out of the defendant's front door. This happened on more than one occasion.

"The defendant denied any child had entered his house but the witness is adamant he saw his daughter exit the door of the defendant's flat."

The court heard Sloan had also bought the girl doughnuts and she was holding some as she came out of his door standing next to the pervert.

In June the man was in his home with his windows open when he heard Sloan talking to his daughter outside, telling her he did gymnastics and asking if she did. He also said to her: "I've got you more doughnuts, the ones you like, not jam".

The concerned dad was then shown a news report about Sloan's previous offending. Police were called and Sloan complained he no longer felt safe as people had found out about his past. He then resisted arrest.

The dad said: "She keeps waking up through the night having nightmares asking if he is coming back to get her and keeps crying in her sleep and is frightened of being in a room by herself and frightened to play outside.

"School have expressed concerns she has been drawing pictures of violent scenes showing Daniel Sloan with a knife and blood. She now knows what a paedophile is. He has ruined her innocence."

Sloan, 35, of no fixed address, whose previous convictions include two indecent assaults from 2005, the attempted grooming and inciting sexual activity offences from 2018 and two breaches of the sexual harm prevention order from 2020, pleaded guilty to breaching the sexual harm prevention order and resisting arrest.

Jailing him for 32 months, Recorder Tom Moran said he poses a very high risk and added: "The only sensible conclusion is you are unable to control your sexual attraction to children. This was not innocent, inadvertent or fleeting, it was clearly a lot more sinister than that . You were trying to ingratiate yourself with them."

Jamie Adams, defending, said: "He is not a man without intelligence and he is aware of the wrongfulness of this behaviour. He felt he had been doing well in the accommodation he was in.

"He feels he has got a label around his neck saying sex offender which makes it very difficult for him to think he can engage in a normal way in society with people around him."