An Oswestry man has been jailed indeterminately for the protection of the public after sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl.

Robert Lewis, 56, of Monkmoor Drive, admitted intentionally touching the girl above the knee on January 24 this year.

Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday heard the incident happened in Willow Street, Oswestry, at about 7.30pm while the girl was sitting in the back of a car.

Mark Linkins, prosecuting, said her father was in a nearby takeaway collecting an order when her mother, who was sitting in the front of the car, spotted a man standing nearby.

He said: “He was heard to say to the girl, ‘You’re gorgeous, I like you.’ The man walked off before turning round and walking back towards the car.

“He opened the driver’s door and leaned on the seat, reaching in and took hold of the girl’s hand. He then placed the palm of his hand on the girl’s thigh, just above the knee.”

The court heard Lewis had appeared in court on numerous occasions for 58 offences – including indecent assaults – dating back to 1966. Daniel White, for Lewis, said he was deeply sorry for what he had done and wanted to change. “He has traumatised a series of young girls since the 1990s,” said Mr White.

Judge Robin Onions said Lewis was a substantial risk of serious harm to the public after he had been drinking.

Lewis was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection. The minimum time he must serve before he can appeal for parole will be one year and 228 days.