A MAN who molested two young girls has to register as a sex offender but has been spared a jail term.

Christopher Bishop was given a suspended sentence after a court heard he was sorry for what he had done and was in work.

Judge Tim Mousley QC said: "Physically they are not the most serious, but it remains that you took advantage of these girls and the threats you uttered to them is a serious aspect of this case and it comes as no surprise to read of the emotional harm they have suffered."

Earlier Swindon Crown Court heard the 41-year-old had a previous history of crime and his time in jail had given him the view that sex offenders were disgusting.

Prosecutor Ian Dixey, said Bishop was living in Sherston when he abused the girls.

Last summer he groped the backside of a friend's 13-year-old daughter. He then sent her texts saying he would only give her a lift if she bent over so he could slap her bottom or sent a photo of her bending over instead.

The child showed the messages to school friends and they persuaded her to tell teachers, who informed the authorities.

Mr Dixey said another girl then revealed that a similar incident had happened to her a few years earlier when the defendant had grabbed her bottom over her clothing.

Bishop, of no fixed abode, admitted two counts of sexual activity with girls aged 12 or 13 and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Robin Shellard, defending, said Bishop had been caught up in the criminal justice system earlier in his life.

"That has involved going to prison and involved having a particular view of sexual offences and sexual offenders.

"Mr Bishop's view of sexual offenders has always been one of hostility and antagonism," he said.

"Now he finds himself in the dock having pleaded guilty to sexual offences the type of which he has always in the past found disgusting and appalling."

He said his client, who had been employed for the past four years, was very sorry for what he had done and was at a loss to explain why he did it.

Addressing Bishop, Judge Mousley said: "I am told in the pre-sentence report that it is considered that there is a medium risk of your causing harm to children in the future.

"However having read everything in the pre-sentence report and what is in the impact statements and the fact you have shown remorse and the fact you are in employment I have come to the conclusion that I can suspend that sentence."

He imposed a 12-month jail term suspended for two years and told Bishop he must pay a £100 victim surcharge and register as a sex offender for ten years.