Gordon Henzell 56

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Gordon Henzell, of Jesmond, sexually assaulted two schoolgirls a decade ago but they only reported it after reading he had been trying to communicate sexually with a girl online

Two girls who were sexually assaulted by a pervert a decade ago finally plucked up the courage to report him after reading that he had been caught by paedophile hunters.

For years, Gordon Henzell's sex attacks on girls aged 13 and 14 had remained a secret.

But after they each read a Facebook post about him being caught in a sting operation, they decided to report what he had done to them.

Now Henzell, who tried to get his ex wife to cover for him after his arrest, has been jailed for two sexual assaults and perverting the course of justice.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Henzell had grabbed the 13-year-old round the waist, kissed her neck and tried to kiss her lips and told her she was gorgeous.

The "horrified" victim managed to get away from him.

In a separate attack, he grabbed a 14-year-old's face and tried to kiss her on the lips.

After being arrested and quizzed over the offences, Henzell sent a message to his ex wife within half an hour trying to get her to help him cover his back.

She was suspicious and reported it to police.

Henzell, 54, of Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, who has the previous conviction from 2020 for attempted sexual communication with a child, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and perverting the course of justice and was jailed for 15 months. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, both for ten years.

Peter Byrne, defending, said his risk of re-offending is low, there is a "good chance of rehabilitation", he pleaded guilty and that he will lose his accommodation due to being imprisoned.