Teaching assistant jailed for child sex offences

Nathaniel Holt, 26, was jailed for five years and eight months

A former teaching assistant has been jailed after admitting multiple child sex offences.

Nathaniel Holt, 26, pleaded guilty to assaulting two girls under the age of 13 by touching and causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Leeds Crown Court heard Holt, from Bramley, also had thousands of indecent photographs and videos of children on his devices.

He was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison on Wednesday and was given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.

The defendant admitted several charges against him at Leeds Magistrates' Court in November which included making 2,777 indecent images of children, taking an indecent photograph of a child and recording someone under clothing without consent.

Det Con Susan Abbott, who led the investigation, said: "Holt has committed multiple contact sexual offences and has also shown a wider disturbing interest in children with thousands of images found on his electronic devices.

"Holt's occupation meant he had contact with children.

"We worked with our partners to ensure that safeguards were put in place to protect children who Holt would usually have contact with while the matters against him were investigated.

"Following the conclusion of this court case, he is now subject to restrictions which prevent him from working with children in the future."

She thanked the victims for their courage and bravery in coming forward, particularly given their young age.

"The impact of Holt's actions is something that they will undoubtedly live with for the rest of their lives, but I hope the conclusion of this court case provides them with some comfort," Det Con Abbott added.

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