A MAN who tried to bribe children to expose themselves by offering them sweets has been given a ten year jail sentence.
Sweetshop worker Paul Lewis, 33, was reported on five separate occasions to be approaching children and offering them free sweets in exchange for them exposing themselves.
An investigation was launched by police to find Lewis, of Lower Dolcliffe Road, Mexborough, and he was arrested in November last year.
Investigating officer Amy Fourlis said: “Lewis abused a clear position of trust and the victims have shown courage in telling their parents what happened and being interviewed by police.
“Thanks to them, we were able to build a strong case against Lewis and identify further offences. I’m pleased that he has been handed a significant jail term and offers the community some reassurance.”
Lewis was charged with seven offences dating from July to October 2018, relating to six children all between the ages of eight and 11.
These were three counts of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of an act of outraging public decency, possession to show or distribute an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child and one count of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
At a pre-trial hearing on December 5, 2018, Lewis pleaded guilty to the offences.
He was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday.
