A RESPECTED businessman who preyed on young girls has started a ten-year prison sentence this week.

Dad-of-two Kevin Smith sexually assaulted one girl, known as Girl A, and raped another girl, Girl B.

The 64-year-oldgroomed the girls with gifts and money.

In victim impact statements Girl A was said to be distressed by what she had gone through. Girl B was said to be left with many difficulties as a result of the abuse.

Smith, of Cyprus Close, Salem, forced the girls to give evidence during a trial after denying all the charges.

However, he was convicted by a jury on two counts of indecent assualt on Girl A.

He was also convicted of one count of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault, two counts of indecency with a child, one assault by penetration, four counts of taking indecent photos and two counts of rape against Girl B.

He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment, ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and ordered to pay £4,250 costs.

Earlier the court heard Smith’s offending began in 1998 after his marriage to his wife ended. He was running his own business and living alone in a detached house.

He befriended Girl A and, after a sustained period of grooming, sexually assaulted her when she was just 11-years-old. Her parents ultimately became suspicious of the friendship and the contact with Girl A ended.

Smith then moved onto his second victim, Girl B, when she was 13-years-old and went onto see her up to twice a week.

After her 14th birthday, Smith began drawing the curtains when she was at his house and touching her. This happened a number of times.

On occasions money was given to Girl B and he would pay her to perform sexual acts. He finally progressed to full sexual intercourse with her and, on one occasion, held her down on a bed and raped her without using any form of protection.

He started writing love letters to the girl which made her tell her parents what was going on, and they alerted police.

Ouside court, family of the victims said: "Justice has been done. This man has been given the correct sentence."

Girl B added: "It was scary seeing him in court. I’m just glad it’s all over."