A “dangerous and manipulative” paedophile has been jailed for more than three years after using Facebook to prey on young girls.
Jason Downie befriended two youngsters on the social media site before sending them messages and arranging to meet them.
On one occasion Downie created a situation where he was alone with one schoolgirl in his car.
When she asked if he would buy her a sweet the 32-year-old said he would, but only if she gave him a kiss.
He then sexually assaulted the 13-year-old.
The girl told him to stop and her screams could be heard by those living nearby.
But the serial offender took no notice and carried on.
Yesterday Downie appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted sexually assaulting the child in his car in Fraserburgh on September 2, 2012.
He also admitted travelling to Gardenstown “with the intention of having unlawful sex” with another young girl he had befriended on Facebook.
Fiscal depute Kelly Mitchell said Downie was originally a Facebook friend of the 12-year-old’s mother and had later added the youngster.
At one point during their chats he suggested they go for a drive in his car and they could kiss.
However, the girl arrived at the meeting on June 17 in the company of friends.
She watched him arrive from a safe distance and decided against going through with the rendezvous.
Downie then sent her abusive messages, saying she had wasted his “time and fuel”.
Miss Mitchell added that the girl’s mother later found the messages on her daughter’s Facebook app and reported Downie to the police.
Sheriff Annella Cowan told HMP Grampian prisoner Downie: “The first victim was 13 and you were 29.
“The second victim, who you had known since she was a small child, and she was 12 and you 32.
“The facts in charge one are extremely serious. It would have been a serious sexual assault on a non-consenting adult never mind a 13-year-old child whose screams could be heard by neighbours.
“The second child managed to protect herself.
“I take the view that you are a dangerous, manipulative man and your previous convictions are also evidence that you are violent.”
Downie was jailed for 38 months, with an extended sentence of three years.
He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.