A PERVERT has been jailed for historic sex acts against two little girls.

Peter Kerridge, 68, took advantage of the children between 1974 and 1976 by forcing one to engage in sexual activity and carrying out a sex act in the presence of another.

Kerridge, of Old Court Close, Brighton, denied two counts of gross indecency with girls under 14 but was found guilty.

At Brighton Crown Court on Friday he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Gabby Henty, prosecuting, described the acts as an abuse of a position of trust.

In a statement, one of the victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “I always had a voice in my head saying I wasn’t good enough.

“I’ve had trust issues with men. I’ve had to have counselling as a result.

“The fact that I can remember the events so clearly shows that I knew it wasn’t right, even at the time.”

The second victim, who also cannot be named, said: “The whole situation has left me feeling that I did not have a very good childhood.

“Even now, it still makes me very angry.”

Brian Shaw, defending, told the court: “Thirty five years ago Mr Kerridge made a terrible mistake and two young girls suffered greatly.

“It is of note that Mr Kerridge said his first sexual experience was at the age of 26.

“These encounters were the first time he engaged in sexual activity since he was abused as a child.

“He’d had a difficult family upbringing and had suffered at boarding school.”

Mr Shaw said Kerridge had Asperger’s and his mental health could suffer greatly if he was given a custodial sentence.

He said: “He is a very independent man, a loner, and he is going to suffer terribly in the prison environment.

“Is it of benefit to anyone that he is sent to prison today? I would say it is not.

“There has to be a measure of deterrent, but punishment can be served in the community.”

But Judge Anne Arnold said: “Mr Kerridge, in dealing with you today I have guidelines from the Sexual Offences Act.

“These were deliberate acts at a time when these children were particularly vulnerable.

“Whilst you were young at the time of the offences, at the age of 25, they were only six or seven and eight or nine.

“Whilst they appear to be one-off cases, they have had a long-lasting impact on the victims.

“I view this in essence as one act of criminality against two little girls.”

Detective Constable Paul Heal, who investigated the case, said: “This was a distressing and complex investigation which started when one of the victims came to us for the first time nearly three years ago.

“Both have supported the case throughout, with the aid of specially trained officers, and bravely gave evidence against their childhood abuser at the trial, which helped significantly in ensuring justice was done.”