A man banned from talking to girls has been jailed after ignoring the order.

Barrie Miles, 37, of Common Lane, Thundersley, had been given a community order following an incident at around 8.25am on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, when he approached two girls, aged 14 and 15, in London Road, Benfleet.

He asked inappropriate questions which left the two girls feeling harassed.

He was given a five year community order banning him from talking to any female aged under 18, loitering around schools and using language or behaviour that could cause harassment, alarm or distress.

However, he breached this order at around 7.45pm on Friday, June 22, when he approached two girls, aged 13 and 14, in Hart Road, Thundersley.

Miles was arrested by police shortly afterwards.

PC Ian Risden, of Castle Point and Rochford’s Community Policing Team, said: “Miles’ behaviour is seriously concerning and made young girls feel distressed and threatened.

"The victims did exactly the right thing by running away from Miles and raising the alarm. I would like to thank them for their support and bravery during our investigations.

“Miles has shown complete disregard for the order imposed on him and breached it within a month.

"He will now spend time locked in a cell and the order will continue to remain in place to help protect our community further."

We would urge anyone with information about suspicious behaviour to contact Castle Point and Rochford CPT on 101 or report it online by visiting www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online. Alternatively, you can call Crmestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.