A PERVERT who "wrecked" five little girls' lives has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.

Burnley Crown Court heard that Derek Jaques, 53, systematically abused his victims over almost 20 years.

Judge Raymond Bennett said the girls, aged mostly between six and 10 when Jaques molested them, would carry the scars with them for the rest of their days.

He said although Jaques had owned up and not blamed the children, the public loathed people who behaved as he had done and expected them to be severely punished.

Jaques, of Queen Victoria Road, Burnley, admitted attempted rape and 10 allegations of indecency.

James Christie, prosecuting, said Jaques told one girl he tried to rape not to panic.

He committed sex acts with the child by telling her they were at a tea party.

Jaques committed sex acts with another girl when she was about seven.

When questioned by police, Jaques admitted he had a problem with children and said he knew what he was doing was wrong.

He was relieved his offences had come to light and wanted to co-operate with any treatment programme.

Anthony Cross, defending, said Jaques accepted what he had done was totally wrong and that people would find what he did abhorrent.

He knew he had wrecked the lives of those he had wronged and was remorseful for his actions.

He did not dispute anything any of the children had said and had made admissions about offences which, in all probability, could not have been laid at his door.

Jaques had never before been to prison and wanted to avail himself of whatever treatment he could get while in custody. He accepted he had a problem.

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