A PERVERT who photographed children in bikinis while on holiday and filmed up a girl's skirt is starting a three-year prison sentence.

Ronald Barnbrook – whose case was described by a judge as "concerning" – also carried out a series of sexual assaults on a teenager.

Barnbrook still maintains he has no sexual interest in children, but Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, told him: "I cannot accept that."

The 66-year-old was due to stand trial at Teesside Crown Court but made an attempt to commit suicide, and the case was delayed for weeks.

His teenage victim was "left dangling by a thread", according to her mother, before Barnbrook pleaded guilty at the very last minute.

In an impact statement, the mum told how her daughter's attendance at school dropped by half in a crucial exam year - but still succeeded.

She said the girl began to self-harm, spent hours alone in her bedroom, became subdued and there was a "significant decline" in her health.

The statement read in court said: "Some days, she was so unwell she would tell me she hurt everywhere. It was so hard to see her like this.

"She would say she didn't want to feel like this. Sometimes, she was lifeless and simply could not get out of bed. It is devastating.

"I don't like to go out if it means my daughter is alone. She has dreams of him chasing her. It is a mother's worst nightmare.

"She used to be so confident, but now struggles to make decisions for herself, and comes to me for help. Her indecisiveness upsets her.

"We both just want to draw a line under this and hopefully we can after this hearing. My daughter is not the same girl. It's heartbreaking."

Barnbrook, of Bank Sands, Acklam, Middlesbrough, admitted four charges of sexual assault and one of voyeurism at an earlier court hearing.

His barrister, Aisha Wadoodi, said he had been hard-working throughout his life and has taken courses in prison while he has been on remand.

Miss Wadoodi said Barnbrook was unfamiliar with the criminal justice system and had been anxious about his future before he confessed.

A reference from his grown-up son, and one from his ex-wife – he had been married for 26 years – described him in "glowing terms".

"This has been very difficult for him," said Miss Wadoodi. "There has never been any suggestion in this man's past of anything like this."

Judge Bourne-Arton told Barnbrook: "Of some concern to me is the fact in your pre-sentence report you deny any interest in young girls.

"Having seen the evidence, I cannot and do not accept that. The fact you cannot accept your interest in pre-pubescent girls is of concern."