A FORMER shop owner has pleaded guilty to 16 counts of sexual activity with girls under the age of 13.
Ian Middleton, 51, of Waddie's Shop on Green Road, Penistone, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court court where he admitted 16 charges of a 20-count indictment made against him.
Middleton pleaded guilty to 14 charges of sexual assault of a female child under the age of 13 and two charges of sexual activity, with no penetration, of a female child under the age of 16.
He denied four further charges of assault of a female child under the age of 13, involving penetration, which will be decided by the judge at sentencing.
A trial fixed for next month has been abandoned after he admitted the 16 charges and Middleton wil be sentenced on Tuesday, February 8, at Sheffield Crown Court.
While he was a lollipop man in Springvale he told the Chronicle: "I love the kids to bits and they love me."
