A PLYMOUTH man indecently assaulted two young girls, a court heard.

Mark Richards, aged 41, used ****s such as hide-and-seek to be alone with one and molest her.

Ten years later, she told her mother and an investigation began, which led to a second girl coming forward.

She said that Richards would indecently assault her while she was watching TV with him.

Richards pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault against each girl, though the first girl was assaulted at least five times and the second on 10 occasions.

Police seized Richards' laptop and found hundreds of indecent images of children: 315 at level one, 66 at level two, 55 at level three and 28 at level four. Level one is the least serious and level five the most serious.

He also had 35 images of extreme adult pornography.

Prosecutor Nick Lewin said Richards initially denied all the charges and when asked if he had a sexual interest in children, gave a 'no comment' interview.

He had old convictions for dishonesty and one for drink-driving.

Andrew Maitland, for Richards, said his client unreservedly apologised for the indecent assaults, committed over a seven-month period in 1999.

"His remorse is absolute," he said.

Mr Maitland said that during Richards' 211 days on remand, he had been held in a special prison wing and had been unable to get treatment or counselling.

But he was keen to co-operate with any treatment which would address his needs.

High Replica Marc Jacobs Court Judge the Hon Mr Justice Royce told Richards, of Alexandra Road, Ford: "You took terrible advantage of these very young girls.

"These offences against two young girls were very serious."

He sentenced Richards to a total of five years in jail for the indecent assaults on the girls and a further nine months for the pornography offences, a total of five years nine months less 211 days spent on remand.

He also ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders' Register and imposed a Sexual Offending Prevention Order until further order of the court.