A computer engineer who sexually assaulted young girls has been jailed for 13 years.
Andrew Cilia, 50, of Ivory Walk, Crawley, was sentenced when he appeared at Brighton Crown Court, having pleaded guilty at a previous hearing at Hove Crown Court.
He admitted five offences of making indecent photographs of children, three counts of taking indecent photographs of children, six counts of sexual assaults on children, and one of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Cilia will be required to register a sex offender for life on discharge from prison, and will also be subject to a Sexual Offences Protection Order (SOPO) restricting his access to computer equipment and children, to last indefinitely.
The offences of assault, indecent activity, and the taking of indecent images of children related to girls aged between six and 12 years old.
They took place between 2004 and 2012.
Detective Sergeant Martin Harmer said; “In the autumn of 2012 we received information that a computer at Cilia's address was being used to make available to others, images of child abuse via a peer-to-peer file sharing site on the internet.
"When we executed a search warrant at the address in November that year Cilia admitted accessing indecent images and was arrested.
"However it swiftly became clear from our enquiries that he had also been engaging in sexual activity with the three young girls who he had befriended as a family friend over a period of years.
"Cilia was charged and remanded in custody the day following his arrest.
"We are glad to be able to intervene, stop his offending, and ensure that the victims were able to receive proper support.
"Now Cilia has been brought to justice and we are also glad that at least his guilty pleas ensured that his victims did not have to give evidence in court, although it is to their great credit that they were ready to do so."
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