A Milford Haven man who gave cannabis to a 14 year old girl before sexually assaulting her was jailed yesterday for two years.

John Paul Hughes, aged 47, had denied both sexual assault and supplying a controlled drug but he was convicted after a trial at Swansea crown court.

Judge Christopher Morton jailed Hughes for 12 months for the sex offence and an additional 12 months for supplying cannabis.

Mark Spackman, prosecuting, said Hughes, of Edward Street, Milford Haven, had touched the girl's breasts under her clothing.

Hughes' barrister, Geraint Walters, said he still maintained his innocence and refused to accept the verdicts of the jury. Consequently, a report prepared on Hughes by a probation officer "made grim reading."

Mr Walters said Hughes had been drinking at the time as well as smoking cannabis on a regular basis.

He said Hughes had already paid a penalty for his offending, as his partner had ended their relationship the moment the jury returned verdicts of guilty and Hughes had had to find somewhere else to live.

Judge Morton said Hughes had supplied the cannabis for one of two reasons, either as a reward for allowing Hughes to fondle her sexually or as a threat that if she told anyone about the touching he would tell about her smoking cannabis.

Judge Morton said he accepted that no force had been used.

Hughes was also banned from ever working with children and ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for the next ten years.