A WIDNES man who behaved indecently in front of three young girls has been jailed for 18 months.

Judge John Morgan told Mark Ryan on Monday that it had been "a nasty incident" and only a custodial sentence was justified.

Ryan, 37, of Griffin Mews, Farnworth, was found guilty of six charges involving indecent assault and indecency with the girls, two aged six and one aged nine.

The court heard that the incident happened in Speke while Ryan, a communications engineer, was sitting in his van.

One of them told her father and the police were called.

Police later arrested Ryan and he denied the allegations.

During his trial, Ryan maintained his innocence and said he had not been at the scene.

Defence counsel Michael Wolff said that Ryan had no previous similar convictions.

As well as his jail term, Ryan was ordered to register under the Sex Offenders Act for 10 years.

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