A SEXUAL "fantasist" who abused four little girls in a persistent campaign of indecency, has been jailed for three and a half years.

Burnley Crown Court heard that perverted Paul Hemmans, 37, had had unhealthy desires for pre-pubescent girls since at least the late 1990s and first struck about that time.

He assaulted his other three victims more recently.

The defendant, who groped his victims under their clothes, leaving them frightened and upset, denied the allegations when arrested by police in February.

The following day he contacted officers again and owned up to everything he had done.

Prosecutor Emma Kehoe told the court: "He said he had wanted to stop for some time and he was very sorry for what he had done."

Hemmans, of Canal Mews, Nelson, admitted eight counts of sex assault on a girl under 13 and four charges of indecent assault on a girl aged under 14.

His victims were aged between eight and 11.

Sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson told the defendant he had made very wide-ranging admissions and his pre-sentence report stated he was highly motivated to address his offending.

The judge went on: "You have demonstrated over a significant period of time your ability to carry out regular and almost systematic abuse of young and vulnerable girls.

"These little girls were clearly upset and frightened by your behaviour towards them.

It's just to be hoped that because they are of such tender years their experiences will fade into memory so they won't carry any longer term scars of what you did to them."

The defendant, who had been committed for sentence by magistrates, was disqualified from working with children.

He was also made subject of a Sex Offences Prevention Order, banning him from having contact with youngsters under 16 at his home or any address he may visit on his release.

Miss Kehoe told the court Hemmans made one victim watch an adult scary movie. She was asking for her nana but the defendant touched her repeatedly.

Another victim, who also watched a scary film, told police the defendant's conduct was "horrible" and said he had told her to shut up when she told him to stop.

The girl said she was told not to tell anybody. She described Hemmans as "disgusting" to officers.

Miss Kehoe said Hemmans later apologised to one victim for his behaviour. The defendant had previous convictions but none for sex offences.

Tim Storrie, defending, said the single distinctive feature which set Hemmans apart from other sex offenders was that he went to the police station and admitted what he had done.

Mr Storrie said Hemmans, who felt "considerable feelings of inadequacy" knew he had hurt and disappointed countless people, destroyed his own future and perhaps any future he might have with his own daughters.

The defendant had combatted a gambling addiction and had sought help for drugs.

The offences did not feature penetration, Hemmans was remorseful and craved his victims' forgiveness.

He went on: "This is a man who has said from the start I have caused harm'.

"He hopes now very much that those who will have suffered at his hands will find a way to overcome the continuing injury they will experience because of his behaviour."