December 2015 Man jailed for abusing a schoolgirl PERVERT Mark Tyas has been jailed for five years after being found guilty of abusing a schoolgirl. The 57-year-old indecently assaulted the teenager five times over six months, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard. They included him giving her a love bite, touching her in an intimate area and sexually assaulting her. The court heard the defendant found the offending funny but the abuse has had a psychological effect on the victim throughout her life She started binge drinking, suffered nightmares, and has undergone counselling. The victim, who is now an adult, complained to the police years after the assaults took place. Tyas, of Hazel Road, Newcastle, denied the offences but was convicted of five offences of indecent assault after a trial earlier this year. He has now been locked up for five years and will be on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. Adam Watkins, mitigating, said Tyas, who has no previous convictions, still denies the offences. He added the defendant has carried out voluntary work with youth groups and football teams. Jailing Tyas, Judge Paul Glenn said: “You grabbed her, got her in a bear hug and inflicted a love bite to her neck. You found that funny, even though she was crying. “It was years later when she formally complained. She commented that you were just getting on with your life while her life had been ruined. She is now able to look forward a lot more to the future.” Judge Glenn accepted the risk of Tyas re-offending is low. But he said the aggravating features included the repeated offending, the significant age disparity between , there was evidence of planning and the significant psychological harm caused to the victim. Tyas will also be barred from a range of activities involving children and vulnerable adults.