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Pervert who targeted pupils 'lost his way' court hears

A pervert who targeted schoolgirls in Staffordshire and performed sexual acts in front of them was given a community order by a judge.

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Driving his dirty yellow works van, James Gill loitered around areas where - and when - he knew young girls would be on their own, Stafford Crown Court heard.

On three separate occasions between July and October last year, he indecently exposed himself to schoolgirls in Rugeley.

The girls who saw him were shocked and terrified, said Mr Stefan Kolodynski, prosecuting.

Gill, aged 26, of Lichfield Drive, Great Haywood, near Stafford, admitted three charges of sexual activity in the presence of a child under the age of 16.

He was given a three-year community order to undergo a sex offender treatment programme, ordered to register as a sex offender with the police for five years, banned from loitering near playgrounds, schools or leisure facilities and banned from unauthorised contact with children under 16.

Recorder Mr P R Cooke told him: "In the summer of this year you seem to have lost your way very significantly. You were going through financial difficulties, you were abusing cannabis and having relationship difficulties. But you completely lost the grip on sexual urges in spectacular fashion.

"You took yourself off in your works van to areas where you would find young girls. You did it, plainly, to derive sexual gratification. The effect has been to frighten them at an age when they should be enjoying pretty carefree lives.

"You haven't come clean with your own partner yet. You are going to have to confront that unpleasant reality."

One of Gill's victims exercised her right to read out in person her victim impact statement in front of him. Amongst other things, the 13-year-old, who cannot be identified by law, told him: "I have been scared to go out on my own in case this happens again. I thought you were going to kidnap us and kill us. I don't trust any men except my dad and my granddad.

"That's all your fault. You have destroyed a long-standing friendship- thanks for that."

Mr Kolodynski said the offences took place on July 29. September 22 andOctober 12.

On the last occasion , the father of one of his vcitms went around the town looking for a dirty yellow van and took down Gill's registration number. He was arrested the next day.

Mr Neil Gerrity, defending, said: "He is,rightly, ashamed and embarrassed by his conduct. This is a first step to getting help and making sure this never happens again."

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