A FORMER lollipop man from Penistone has been jailed for sex offences against children.

Ian Middleton also ran a sweet shop and used that to lure and sexually abuse eight young girls was described by police.

Yesterday, he was jailed for seven years by a judge at Sheffield Crown Court. And he was labelled “a determined and predatory” paedophile.

Middleton, 52, admitted sexually assaulting the girls – aged between eight and 15 – when they went behind his shop counter to choose sweets.

The family man ran Waddies General Store on Green Road, Penistone, with his wife.

The abuse came to light only when a 12-year-old girl showed her friend’s mother a bra, thong and suspenders which Middleton had bought for her last Valentine’s Day.

He also sent her messages on Facebook and texted her referring to himself as her boyfriend, and telling her he wished she was in bed with him.

He admitted 16 counts – 14 of sexually assaulting a child under 13, and two of sexual activity with children aged 13 and 15. Four further offences were ordered to lie on file.