A FORMER guest at a Ribble Valley bed and breakfast establishment has started a three-month jail term for molesting the owners' daughter.
Ian McDonald, 53, was convicted of two counts of indecent assault, after a trial last year, at Burnley Crown Court but the case was adjourned for sentence.
The jury had been told he touched her indecently after the child got into bed with him.
McDonald had told the girl's parents he had been a computer scientist.
Sentencing him, Judge Raymond Bennett said he had been in a position of trust and must have known his victim's parents would not approve.
He went on: "Girls of this age are entitled to be protected, even from themselves. Mature adults have a duty towards them and you failed your duty towards this little girl."
McDonald, of Gladstone Street, Harrogate, had denied the allegations.
McDonald's barrister, Bernadette Baxter, said he was now on the sex offenders register, which afforded protection to the public.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article