A MAN convicted of his second child sex offence has refused to acknowledge his guilt and lacks “insight” into the harm of his offending, a court was told.

Benjamin Brooklyn committed the latest offence to go before a court, sexual assault on a child, more than a decade ago, while living in the Darlington area.

But, Durham Crown Court, heard it only came to light when the victim informed her family in June 2018.

Tom Mitchell, prosecuting, said in between, Brooklyn was convicted at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court in 2013, of causing or inciting a female child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, an offence dating from 2010.

He was given a community sentence and was ordered to notify as a sex offender for five years.

Mr Mitchell said he was further convicted for failing to comply with the notification requirements and three counts of attempting to breach a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, by trying to contact girls on social media and in public.

He admitted those offences and was jailed for nine months at York Crown Court, later in 2013.

Mr Mitchell said the effect of the offences which emerged in 2018 have had a “devastating impact” not only on the victim’s mental health, but also on her family.

When arrested and interviewed later in June 2018, Brooklyn made denials

But, the defendant, 44, of Trafalgar Square, Scarborough, was convicted at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, after a trial in January.

His counsel, Nick Peacock, told the crown court sentencing hearing his client still remains in denial and the only positive thing to say on his behalf was that he has kept out of trouble since 2013 as he has, “distanced himself from society.”

“He has no friends, does not see his family and suffers depression, for which he is awaiting treatment.”

Judge Jonathan Carroll told Brooklyn he considers he poses a significant risk of committing further serious offences, “due to your lack of insight, failure to make admissions and failure to respond to past interventions.”

He imposed an extended determinate sentence of four years in custody with three years’ on licence supervision.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made “indefinitely” and notification requirements as a sex offender were imposed for life.