A padeophile who sexually assaulted a teenage girl in Pwllheli after grooming her has been jailed for fourteen years.

Alexander Sands admitted meeting the 13 year-old and assault by penetration following a series of incidents in 2022.

Mold Crown Court heard in a separate case, the 33 year-old, originally from Preston, had also attempted to meet an eight year-old child in Leciestershire following grooming last year.

A North Wales Police detective described him as "a danger to children".

Sands had contacted the first victim through her friend via an online video game, where he claimed he was 16 when he was infact 29 years old.

He asked the victim for her social media details but she refused.

On another occasion, when the teenager was playing a video game with her friend, Sands told her he was coming to visit her during the weekend, despite her never telling where she lived.

The following day, he turned up in the Pwllheli area and found the victim sitting on a bench with her friends.

She declined his request for a hug and Sands responded by pushing one of her friends off the bench and sitting next to her, where he forced himself onto her and kissed her.

He then attempted to place his hands down her trousers, before sexually assaulting her.

Sands, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to ten years in custody and an extended four-year licence period.

Detective Sergeant Jamie Aston of North Wales Police said: “Alexander Sands is a danger to children and used an online platform to target his victim to fulfil his sexual desires."

“This case highlights just how important it is for children and their parents to know exactly who they are speaking to online."

“I commend the bravery of the victims in these cases for having the courage to come forward and to give their accounts, which has resulted in Sands’ lengthy sentence behind bars where he can no longer cause harm."

“We encourage all victims of sexual assault to come forward with the confidence that they will be heard and supported."

"Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and remains a foremost priority for North Wales Police. We will continue to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice."

Sands also pleaded gulty to grooming the eight-year old and attempting to meet them following a separate investigation by Lancashire Police.

He was banned from contacting his victims under two lifetime restraining orders and given a 12 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and must register as a sex offender for life.