A DRIVER who repeatedly abused a young girl in his lorry was today starting two years behind bars.

Kenneth Peter Lyons, 46, hid his face in the dock at York Crown Court as prosecutor Tim Stead outlined his offences against the girl.

He later broke down.

Mr Stead said the child's father had allowed her to take trips in the cab of Lyons's lorry. Lyons had indecently assaulted her in and out of the cab.

Judge Arthur Myerson QC said children were entitled to be protected and Lyons had abused the trust placed in him.

At an earlier hearing, Lyons, of Volta Street, Selby, admitted six indecent assaults against the girl in 1997.

A seventh charge was left on file after he pleaded not guilty.

The judge ordered probation officers to give him extra supervision after he leaves prison and urged him to go on a course for sex offenders.

Lyons will also have to register his address with police for the next ten years.

Mr Stead said the offences had occurred over a six-month period and included various forms of abuse.

In a police interview he claimed the girl was lying, but admitted that she might have seen him expose himself.

Simon Lund, for Lyons, said Lyons had accepted that he had behaved disgracefully and took the responsibility for what he had done.

"He has been a hard-working and responsible man.

"He has lost his good name and the respect of others close to him," he said.

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