A CONVICTED paedophile has been sent back to jail for twice approaching three young girls in a park in East Barnet.
John Aldridge, of Cherry Hill, High Barnet was found guilty of breaching his sex offenders order on two occasions and sentenced to two years in prison at Wood Green Crown Court today.
The court heard how during August 2011 the 60-year-old approached the 11-year-old girls as they played in Oakhill Park. The girls told their parents who told them to stay away from Aldridge if they saw him again.
Later that same month at the same park Aldridge followed the same three girls and made personal comments about their appearance.
The girls again told their parents who called the police. Aldridge, who was jailed for 18 months in 1996 for indecently assaulting girl under 14, was arrested and charged with breaching his sex offenders order.
Since then Aldridge has been jailed several times for breaching the order, most recently for three months in July 2009.
Passing sentence His Honour Judge Peter Ader said: “It is not right that parents should prevent their children, or children should fear going to public parks for fear of meeting men like you.”
“You are a great nuisance to young girls and anyone who takes your fancy. This is far from the first time you have been in trouble for this type of behaviour.”
Detective Sergeant Imran Beg, paid tribute to the bravery of the girls, who gave evidence in court.
“Throughout the investigation we worked closely with the children and their families to do all we could to allay their concerns. The courage and maturity they displayed cannot be given enough praise,” he said.
“It is clear how important it was that this man was brought to justice
Barnet Today