A MARRIED man who indecently assaulted a 14-year-old girl he met in an internet chatroom has been jailed.

Alan Wiles had sexual contact with her at his Ribchester home, having asked her to bring a school uniform with her prior to one meeting.

His prosecution for indecent assault cost him his job as an accounts manager, he and his family had to move home and it ended with a six months prison sentence being handed down at Preston Crown Court.

Wiles, 35, of Woon Lane, Clitheroe, appeared for sentence having earlier pleaded guilty to the charge. In addition, he pleaded guilty to 10 charges of possessing indecent photographs of a child.

At the same time a co-defendant, also married, who had been convicted of indecently assaulting a separate 14-year-old girl, was given two years community rehabilitation.

Anthony Bain, 36, of Sabden Walk, Blackburn, had denied the charge but was found guilty by a jury. He was said to have molested a girl while both were passengers in a sports car, but had denied the offence.

Howard Bradshaw, prosecuting, said Wiles met one 14-year-old girl through an internet chatroom in May or June last year. At first they exchanged a number of messages and the defendant said he was thirty two years of age. The indecency occurred on their third meeting. Wiles was said to have asked her in a message to bring a school uniform with her. He drove her to his home in Ribchester where the event took place.

Afterwards he took her back to Blackburn where she met up with the other girl. Later on another meeting was arranged and Wiles said he had a friend he would like the girls to meet.

When police later seized computer equipment from Wiles' home they found over 120 indecent images of girls.

Mr Dennis Watson, defending Wiles, who had previous convictions for dishonesty, said he had met the girl through an internet directory of the local area. He had first understood her to be a few years older than she was before they met.

She had gone on to say she was 15 years old.

Mr Arthur Stuttard, for Bain who had no previous convictions, said he had been brought into the case by the first defendant.

"He still denies this matter and claims he did nothing."

Before the trial took place he had been stabbed in the face by someone calling him a pervert and that matter was reported to police.

Judge Pamela Badley told Wiles in passing sentence that he had met one of the girls and been less than honest with her about his circumstances.

"You sought to impress her with your lifestyle and sophistication. You were aware she was willing to take part in sexual activity and did take advantage of her."

Wiles was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years, Bain for five.