Airbus worker Andrew Hancox, 39, was also placed on the sex register for life when he appeared at Mold Crown Court.

Judge John Rogers QC told Hancox, originally from Wrexham, that they were very serious offences, particularly those in relation to a girl who was aged just eight at the time.

They were persistent, the girl was very young, and he had also indulged in an indecent act in front of her.

Another offence, against a girl aged 14, was serious but not as serious and was a single incident.

The judge warned that if he had been convicted after a trial, when the girls would have had to give evidence against him, then he would have been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Hancox, of Kirby Close, Upton, admitted sexual assault charges against the youngest girl and one charge against the second older girl.

The court heard that Hancox, when drunk, had simulated intercourse with the little girl. He had also been drinking when he touched the breasts and bottom of the older girl.

He was a man of good character who had pleaded guilty and was full of remorse for what he had done.

He knew how wrong he had been and his feelings of remorse were entirely for his victim.

The judge was told Hancox knew he had to go to prison and was hoping to take full advantage of any courses that would be available to him so that he would emerge a different man.