An Essex man accused of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl has been jailed for three years.

Michael McClements, who was living in Chelmer Road, Braintree, initially touched the inside of the girl’s thigh but she pushed him away, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

McClements then touched her again and put his legs over her legs before trying to remove her underwear.

The teenager told him to stop and he initially did as she asked before pulling down her underwear and indecently touching her.

McClements pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the victim by penetration in February last year but was found guilty after a trial.

Sentence was adjourned until Monday, September 11, when he was jailed for three years.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

The court was told that following his arrest he denied that the incident had taken place.

Giving evidence, he said he did not remember the incident and disapproved of the behaviour he was accused of.