Sex offender jailed for seven years

Michael Perkins (28) was found guilty of three offences by a Sheffield Crown Court jury.

When he appeared for sentence on Tuesday, Judge Rosalind Coe told him: “These were young girls who suffered significant harm.”

Perkins, of Morley Street, Rawmarsh, was convicted after a trial in January of one offence of sexually touching the seven-year-old and two offences of intimately touching the eight-year-old.

Ms Megan Rhys, for Perkins, said he strenuously denied the allegations.

“Something happened on just one occasion with the seven-year-old,” she said.

He was a hard-working and qualified chef but had a genetic heart condition and had already suffered two heart attacks at a young age, Ms Rhys said.

He was due to see a cardiologist.

Judge Coe told Perkins that although he had health problems and mental health difficulties, a lengthy custodial sentence was necessary.

She said: “These are very, very serious offences and there was a significant breach of trust here.”

Perkins was given three years in prison for the offence against the seven-year-old and a further four years consecutively for the offences against the other girl.

He was also given an indefinite Sex Offenders’ Prevention Order barring him from having contact with children under 16.

The court was not told where Perkins had worked in catering, only that he was a qualified chef.