A SEX offender who abused two 13-year-old girls has been jailed for 27 months.

Sean Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and two further offences of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent on the day his trial was due to start at Bolton Crown Court.

At his sentencing hearing, Judge Graeme Smith heard how 26-year-old Williams subsequently denied he had committed the offences and accused his victims of lying before he finally admitted his guilt.

Robert Wyn-Jones, prosecuting, told the court how Williams sent one of the teenage girls a sexually explicit message via WhatsApp.

Then, in May, 2015, he touched her private parts and made her commit a sex act with him.

"She was too scared to shout out or do anything," said Mr Wyn-Jones.

The girl later told her mother what had happened and the revelation led to another girl revealing that Williams had also repeatedly sexually abused her over a two-year period.

When arrested Williams, of Turton Street, Bolton, denied anything had happened and could not recall sending any inappropriate messages.

Mark Friend, defending, stressed that Williams, a father-of-one, was of previous good character and has lost his job since pleading guilty to the offences.

"This has been a significant penalty," he added.

Williams contact with his child has also been affected.

"It will be a significant period before the defendant can have the kind of time with his child that others can take for granted," he said.

Sentencing, Judge Smith told Williams: "Both of the girls spoke of the considerable distress they have suffered as a result of this offending.

"At no stage have you expressed any remorse at all."

In addition the the 27-month jail sentence Williams was placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.