A PERVERT who committed sex acts in front of schoolgirls is to receive one-to-one sex offender treatment.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Antonio Teoli, 22, struck after he had taken pills off the internet to increase his libido.

The defendant, said to have a low IQ and learning difficulties, targeted young girls on a bus, in an alleyway near a school, and in a park in the Haslingden area.

Teoli, who had been on remand in custody since October, did it repeatedly over about 10 months last year.

Teoli, of Hillside Road, Haslingden, was given a two-year community order, with 18 months supervision and must live at his home address for six months.

He was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.

Judge Simon Newell told him he knew it was wrong to do what he did and people generally went to prison for it.

The probation service and a medic both thought the defendant needed help so that he would not offend again.

The judge added: “If you feel like doing this again, make sure you tell somebody, otherwise you will just get yourself locked up.”

Teoli had admitted three allegations of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and had asked for an offence to be considered.

Sergey Prokofiev, prosecuting, told the hearing the crown may wish to pursue an application for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order banning Teoli from associating with under-16s.

Bunty Batra, defending, said Teoli had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and made full and frank admissions to police.

There was some prevarication when he was interviewed by police, but that was more to do with embarrassment in facing his father.

He had no previous convictions for sexual offences. Teoli, who had the support and affection of a close family, had experienced his first taste of custody and had found it fairly traumatic.

Mr Batra went on: “He puts his offending behaviour down to the fact he had bought a number of pills from the internet which he said had increased his libido.”

Teoli was somebody who needed help, rather than further punishment. He was employed and his job was still open for him.