A LAW graduate who groomed young girls online before arranging to meet one of them in Tidworth told his victims “the younger the better”, a court heard.

Paramveer Singh Jagdev, 25, was found guilty of meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Winchester Crown Court heard on Thursday that Jagdev used different names on a number of social media websites, including ‘Jazz Jinder’ and claimed to be 16 years old to attract the attention of young girls.

He groomed two 13-year-old girls, who were friends, and persuaded one of them to meet up with him in Tidworth, where he forced her to perform a sex act in his car.

Jagdev also tried to get the other girl to meet up with him but when she refused he threatened her and her friend with violence.

The girls told their parents about the incident and it was reported to police, who discovered “highly sexual” conversations with four girls on Jagdev’s computer, as well as 83 indecent photographs.

Judge Jane Miller said: “The view I take is that you have an unhealthy interest in young girls, as you said to the victims ‘the younger the better’.”

A pre-sentence report said Jagdev “downplayed” his responsibility and the seriousness of his “predatory and premeditated”

actions, and deemed him a high risk to children.

Judge Miller said Jagdev, who has a law degree and has recently married, had “disgraced”

himself and his family.

“You are an intelligent and educated young man and I don’t doubt this prosecution has ruined your life,” she said.

Jagdev, of Earley, Berkshire and formally from Reading, was jailed for four years, ordered to sign the sex offenders register and made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order.

DC Paula Clissold of Wiltshire Police said: “Jagdev preyed on two young vulnerable girls; he was fully aware of their age and targeted them for this reason.

“Fortunately they were able to tell a trusted adult what had happened.

“The girls were very brave in coming forward and we hope that this case will encourage anyone who has been the victim of a similar offence to also report it.

“We strongly believe that this man presents a high risk to children and the fact that he has received a prison sentence and been placed on the sex offenders register for life will help to prevent offences in the future.

“This case also highlights the need to take care on the internet and we urge parents and guardians to keep a close watch on what their children are looking at and consider using parental controls.

“Make sure your child knows never to meet up with someone they only know online.

“Not everyone is who they say they are.”

For more information about online safety, visit thinkuknow.co.uk.

Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence can contact the police via 101 or the independent Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on 0808 168 0024.