Paedophile described as high risk to children after sexually assaulting a schoolgirl in the street

A paedophile who poses an "imminent" risk to children has been put behind bars for sexually assaulting a teenager who was on her way to school.
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John Thurlbeck was banned from having contact with under 16s under the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed in 2010 for trying to meet a child he met online, who turned out to be an undercover police officer.

The 61-year-old, who was running a car business, has now been put behind bars after he tried to engage a schoolgirl victim in conversation, asked for her phone number and then sexually assaulted her in the street last year.

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At Newcastle Crown Court Thurlbeck, of no fixed address but formerly of Washington, has been jailed for 18 months, given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for a decade.

Judge Julie Clemitson told him: "You are described as a high risk of harm to children, that risk being an imminent one."

The judge said Thurlbeck, who admitted failing to comply with sexual harm prevention order requirements and sexual assault, has proved "unwilling or unable to resist urges" and that the risk he poses outweighs the prospect of rehabilitation at this time.

Prosecutor Emma Dowling told the court the court Thurlbeck had rubbed his hand up and down his victim's thigh while asking for her telephone number during the attack.

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Miss Dowling said the victim was "crying and upset" when she told her mother what had happened and the police were immediately informed.

Miss Dowling added: "He should not have been talking to her at all, never mind touching her."

In a statement the girl said: "I feel subdued. I found it difficult to concentrate on lessons at school, wary of people in the street."

The young victim said she also feared bumping into Thurlbeck again.

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Jamie Adams, defending, said widower Thurlbeck is "ashamed" and "feels sorry for the harm this has caused to the complainant".

Mr Adams said Thurlbeck is motivated to work with the authorities to ensure he does not offend again and added: "Society despises this kind of offending."