Paedophile who preyed on two schoolgirls.

Joseph Brian Parkin, 23, was sentenced to three years in prison for breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Parkin was given a suspended sentence last June for contacting 13 and 14-year-old girls and leaving them messages, which put him in breach of his SHPO. However, he was already in further communication with two more youngsters after they saw his message on the bus and contacted him.

He met up with the girls on several occasions and made sexual comments towards them. Parkin then began following the two teenagers, prompting one of the girls' older sister to confront him in the street. Parkin rode off on his bike, and police were contacted.

During an interview, Parkin refused to comment. He eventually pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child and two counts of breach of his SHPO.

Parkin has nine previous convictions, including sexual assault of a girl under 13, causing a child to watch a sexual act, sexual communication with a child, sending indecent communications, and several breaches of his SHPO.

In mitigation, Satpal Roth-Sharma said that Parkin suffers from Asperger's Syndrome and accepted his latest bout of behavior. She explained that he was placed into care at 12 and had spent the last seven months on remand, reflecting on his life.

"His interest in teen girls is a result of feeling isolated and having never held down a proper adult relationship," Roth-Sharma said. "He accepts he made poor decisions linked to his Asperger's and his maturity. He has thought long and hard about his behaviour and is showing regret and remorse."

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC told Parkin: "I appreciate the difficulties you have had, I'm aware of your autism and your place on the spectrum. You are dangerous because you can't stop yourself contacting young girls for sexual purposes. I can't take the risk of allowing you your liberty."

Parkin, who sat shaking his head as the judge spoke to him, was sentenced to three years in prison, made up of 20 months for his latest offences, as well as the 16 months from the suspended sentence last year.