Pervert who assaulted young girls sent to jail

Joe Jex, 42, abused one of the youngsters in front of her own mother at a children’s birthday party after making explicit comments about the teenager.

When he was confronted about his behaviour he became angry, Preston Crown Court heard.

On another occasion exposed himself to the youngster and touched her sexually on several occasions.

The incidents happened in Poulton and Garstang, the court heard.

In a victim impact statement read to the court the youngster said she felt “unsafe” in Jex’s company and now she has matured she struggles to trust men.

The other youngster was less than seven-years-old when Jex started abusing her.

The court heard her mother – who can not be identified for legal reasons – raised concerns with the NSPCC after finding Jex in circumstances which appeared inappropriate.

The girl later told her dad about Jex’s behaviour towards her and the police and social services were called in to investigate.

However no further action was taken against Jex and when contact was stopped between him and the child, he went on to abuse the teenager.

In her statement, the younger girl said she felt betrayed and isolated when Jex continued to abuse her after the investigation.

Judge Michael Byrne, sentencing, said: “He deliberately chose opportune moments in which to indulge himself.

“Both his victims were vulnerable, growing up in their formative years.

“They were entitled to feel safe.

“There was a degree of planning in that he took advantage of opportunities he knew would present themselves.”

Jex, of Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale, denied the allegations during a trial at Preston Crown Court but was convicted of nine counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of exposure.

Judge Byrne jailed Jex for six years in respect of the younger girl and two years for the offences he committed against the teenager.

He also made a sexual harm prevention order and has made him the subject of notification requirements for life.