Febuary 2012

Pervert gets four years for attacks

A PAEDOPHILE who abused two schoolchildren and left them feeling as though they had been raped was yesterday jailed for four years.

James Profitt, 24, denied he had a sexual interest in youngsters when he was arrested after they plucked up the courage to tell of their ordeal.

But a police examination of his computer revealed a hidden collection of videos and photographs of child abuse, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Profitt, of Ilkley Grove, Hartlepool, admitted possessing and making indecent images, sexual assault and sexual activity with a child.

Judge Peter Fox said they were “dreadful offences” and said he had carried on with his “perverted way” by downloading the images.

Profitt was also put on the sex offenders’ register for life and will face restrictions on his internet use and contact with children when freed.

Robin Denny, mitigating, told Judge Fox: “I am not suggesting they were not traumatic, but they were just two isolated matters.”

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said Profitt gagged one of his victims with his hands so they could not call for help as he carried out the attack.

Another victim – several years younger – described in a statement the terror and pain of thinking Profitt was carrying out a rape.

Judge Fox told Profitt that the victims perceived him penetrating them, and said:

“You got as close to raping them as you could.”