Stephen Cox, a Torquay Paedophile, convicted of sexually assaulting two minors, has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
Stephen Cox, 44, of Torquay, Devon, was convicted in May at Exeter Crown Court of seven offences.
The offences comprised assault by touching, participating in sexual conduct in the presence of a minor, and persuading a child to partake in sexual activity.
The younger victim was only three when police interviewed her, and Stephen Cox, who denied the charges, had shown no remorse, the court heard.
Stephen Cox, of Hillesdon Road, was also sentenced to a five-year extended licence, put on the sex offenders’ register for life and issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting contact with children.
Mary McCarthy, prosecuting, said the abuse happened in the late 2010s at a property in north Devon and came to light when the older girl, then aged six, told her mother what had happened.
The younger of his two victims was aged three when she was video-interviewed by specially trained police and a little older when other evidence was pre-recorded.
In their evidence, the children said Stephen Cox had touched them and devised an “elephant game” in which he encouraged them to touch him.
Stephen Cox was said to have a “significant sexual attraction to children” by the writer of a probation report, and the judge, Recorder Mr Donald Tait, categorised him as a dangerous offender who posed a real risk of harming children.
The judge said Stephen Cox’s behaviour had had a “very significant effect” on the girls, and he had shown “no remorse whatsoever”.
After sentencing, Det Con Terry Hodgson of Devon and Cornwall Police, who led the investigation, said that the victims’ cooperation was a “testament to their bravery” after they “suffered significant sexual abuse”.
He added: “This is an important reminder that such reports will always be taken seriously by the police, and justice will be sought.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.