He sat on a bench and assaulted teenage girl - but what she did next led to his downfall

A pervert who sat next to a 14-year-old girl on a bench by the sea before sexually assaulting her has been jailed. Police say Dean Marroni started a conversation with his young victim before making his 'disturbing' move.

The girl ran away from the bench on Sandylands Promenade in Morecambe, Lancashire, following the assault on the afternoon of September 3. But as she escaped the 34-year-old attacker, she turned back to take a photo of him on her phone.

Lancashire Police says officers were able to arrest Marroni at his home soon after. Marroni, of Marine Road East, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a female at Preston Crown Court.

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He has now been jailed for five months and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years. Marroni was also made subject of sex offenders notification requirements, which allow him to be monitored following his release.

Detective Constable Zoe Hall, of Lancaster CID, said: “This was a disturbing sexual assault on a teenage girl and we are pleased that Marroni has been sentenced and made subject of notification requirements. We take all reports of sexual assault very seriously and will investigate them thoroughly.”