A PAINTER and decorator from Lancaster who indecently assaulted a 15 year old girl in what he described as a "moment of madness" has been jailed for six months.

Carl Maguire, 39, of Bay View Court, Station Road, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting the girl in October last year when he appeared at Preston Crown Court.

Miss Angelina Dennett, prosecuting, said the girl and a friend followed McGuire to his flat and had drunk cider.

The offence took place with the girl's consent in the defendant's bedroom.

Mr Ian Dacre, defending, said McGuire, a divorced father of one, had pleaded guilty.

The girl had been "active and encouraging" in what took place and he accepted that it was unwise to meddle with the girl. It had been an impulsive action and a one off offence.

"He has expressed shame for what happened.

He described it as a moment of madness and felt he was egged on by the nature of the conversation that was going on."

In addition to the six month jail sentence, McGuire was placed on the sex offenders register for seven years and will be the subject of an extended supervision order for two years.

An order was made prohibiting the identification of the girl.

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