A MAN who admitted three offences of indecent assault on a girl was put on probation for three years yesterday.

John Ryan, 45, of Park Avenue, Teesville, near Redcar, east Cleveland, appeared before Teesside Crown Court.

Sentencing, Judge Richard Lowden told Ryan: "I believe this is the most constructive way forward, not only for you, but for anybody else who may potentially come into your way and present a temptation.

"I don't want anything like this ever to happen again."

The judge also ordered that Ryan's details should be kept on the sex offenders' register for seven years.

Ryan was ordered to attend the sex offender treatment programme run by the probation service.

Judge Lowden said: "Let nobody think that is a soft option. You will find when you get into the sex offender treatment programme it is probably the most difficult thing you have ever been called on to do in your life."

Matthew Bean, prosecuting, said that when Ryan was arrested by the police he made full admissions about what had happened.

David Lamb, for Ryan, said he was concerned about the way in which he had acted and consulted a doctor. He now intended to move away from the North-East and start a new life.

He had lived a law-abiding life previously and was at a loss to explain his behaviour.