A 41-YEAR-OLD father repeatedly drove past a frightened schoolgirl, offered her a lift and told her she was a "good looking babe."

Burnley magistrates heard how Paul Anthony Humphries, a former sex offender, who has a daughter the same age as his victim, told the 13-year-old not to be shy and he would not bite her.

Humphries, of Cog Lane, Burnley, whose behaviour lasted almost five months, was put on probation for two years after admitting harassment between January 1 and May 28.

He must also attend a sex offenders' programme run by Lancashire Probation Service and the NSPCC, live and sleep at an address approved by his supervising officer and must not engage in paid or voluntary work which includes contact with children.

Humphries was placed under a restraining order to protect the victim from harassment. He was also told to pay £100 compensation and £60 costs.

Julie Reddish, prosecuting, said Humphries began to wave at the girl, smile and drive by.

He later turned his car, drove past her and smiled again and would wave in a different manner if someone else was in the vehicle with him. His behaviour continued and the victim thought it was strange for a man of the defendant's age to be waving at her. Humphries later offered the girl a lift and when she refused, he told her he wouldn't bite. The schoolgirl was frightened and a week later, Humphries again offered the girl a lift and told her not to be shy.

Miss Reddish said Humphries was playing football in the park where the girl was playing and deliberately kicked the ball towards her so.

He continued to wave and offered her a lift again. On May 25, he ran towards the girl and she thought he was going to grab her.

He caught up with her, asked how old she was, what school she went to and told her: "I still think you are a good looking babe."

The girl, more frightened about what was happening, told a friend what had been going on and the woman noted Humphries' car number plate.

Miss Reddish said Humphries had previous convictions for indecent assault in 1993 and 1975.

Dermot Woodhead, defending, said Humphries had been on bail for nearly four months and had not breached his conditions. He was remorseful for what happened. It was never a case where the defendant intended to cause distress. He had not been aware he was causing distress, but had to accept a reasonable person would consider his behaviour inappropriate.

Humphries had a daughter a similar age to the victim and said he would not like it if somebody behaved in the same way he had towards his daughter.

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