A MAN who simulated sex with a nine-year-old girl has been jailed for two years at Worcester Crown Court.

David Shurmer, aged 50, climbed on top of the victim as she lay on her bed playing a computer game. In another assault, he lay on her as she sorted out games in a bedroom.

In both cases, the girl was clothed but Shurmer exposed his private parts, said Andrew Evans, prosecuting.

Shurmer, of Tomkinson Drive, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on the day he was due to face jury trial. Nine years ago he was given a police caution for a similar offence against a six-year-old girl.

Judge John Cavell said his late plea meant the little girl had come to court, prepared to give evidence. He had abused the trust of the victim's family.

The judge extended Shurmer's prison licence for three years after his release. He was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next 10 years and not to work with children.

The offences happened in 1999. The victim confided in a friend in 2003 and police arrested Shurmer the following year. He denied ever being alone with the girl.

Abigail Nixon, defending, said the stigma of the offences would impact on another innocent victim, Shurmer's 73-year-old disabled mother. She was wheelchair-bound and "would be lost" without his assistance.

Miss Nixon said Shurmer, who had learning difficulties, had deep-rooted problems which stemmed from childhood experiences at the hands of his stepfather.

The court heard that the girl was also sexually abused by another man. He was jailed for 12 months last year.