A ‘deeply religious’ 30-year-old Oldbury man has been put behind bars for five and a half years for a string of serious sex attacks on two schoolgirls.

Judge Martin Walsh said the crimes committed by Mohammed Ashcroft were of a ‘predatory’ nature because he had moved from one vulnerable victim to another.

Ashcroft, who works in a hostel for men who are the victims of domestic abuse, had "destroyed" his life because he was unable to resist the advances of the girls, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Mr Sandeep Singh defending said: "The advances were made and he simply took the opportunity."

Ashcrof't's wife and a number of community leaders were present in court, said Mr Singh, and they were at a loss to explain how a man who had played such an integral part in the area had committed such offences.

Ashcroft of Park Road admitted six charges of engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 16 years of age and he was further told he must register as a Sex Offender for the rest of his life.

Mr Singh stressed to the court that there was no question of Ashcroft being considered dangerous towards young girls and, by his admissions, he had spared his victims the ordeal of giving evidence before a jury.

Mr Simon Drew prosecuting said the specimen charges represented a "course of activity" carried out by Ashcroft over a period of two years.