An asylum seeker who fondled himself in front of a schoolgirl he was stalking had 64 indecent images of children on his phone. Sabjan Burkazi, 30, also tried to lure the youngster into his house as she made her way to school in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

The girl changed her route to school in an attempt to avoid him. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the child later saw Burkazi moving his hands inside his trousers as he tried hitting on her at a park. In another approach, the Afghan national grabbed her in an alleyway.

James Hudson, prosecuting, said Burkazi had told the girl she was sexy and pretty, invited her to his place and told her he would be a "good boy".

The girl gave him a fake phone number when he asked for her name and contact details in a bid to make him leave her alone, the court heard.

Mr Hudson said Burkazi approached the girl in the park where he smirked at her, grabbed her hand and touched her shoulder.

He added: "She saw he had his hand in the top of his trousers. On at least one occasion she could see his hands moving inside his trousers."

Burkazi later grabbed her from behind and pulled at her arm during the alleyway meeting. The youngster's friend kicked him to stop him dragging her off.

When Staffordshire Police officers visited his home they seized his phone and tablet, where the indecent images of children were stored, Stoke Sentinel reports.

The court heard the married father of two was born in Afghanistan where he worked in the military to support the West during the war. When the Taliban took over, he claimed his life was in danger and moved to the UK.

Rashad Mohammed, in mitigation, told the court his client's asylum application was initially refused and he was waiting for the outcome of his appeal.

Mr Mohammed said: "He accepts he behaved in the way alleged. It was not his intention to cause the victim fear, alarm or distress... He was lonely. He had not much to do.

"He recognises his conviction may jeopardise his asylum application. He regrets what he has done and he is sorry.

"It is accepted the actions were persistent and over a long period of time. It is not accepted it was intended to maximise fear or distress."

In a victim impact statement, the girl said Burkazi offered her money and had said creepy things to her.

She added: "This man was obsessed with me. I could not live a normal life. He said, 'baby, sexy'. It made me feel uncomfortable.

"I have stopped hanging around with my friends. I feel scared and intimidated. I no longer feel safe. I have psychologically suffered."

Burkazi pleaded guilty to stalking causing serious alarm or distress; engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and three charges of making indecent images of children.

He was sentenced to three years and four months at Stoke‑on‑Trent Crown Court on Thursday (March 5). He is also subject to a five year sexual harm prevention order and is on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Judge Graeme Smith told him: "You came here from Afghanistan and sought asylum. You were placed in accommodation where you were very much on your own. You developed an obsession with the victim.

"When arrested, indecent images of small children were found on your phone. You dealt with this in your basis of plea saying you did not request that material.

"It was part of legal pornography you obtained and you accept you should not have opened the files. You now express regret, remorse and shame."

The judge said Burkazi would serve half the sentence in custody before being released on licence, adding: "You are in principle liable to automatic deportation at that point.

"But there are exceptions to that principle and the understanding of the police is that you will not be deported. If you are not deported you will be released into the community on licence.

"You must then comply with the conditions and commit no further offences."

Det Insp Adam Goodger from Staffordshire Police said after sentencing: "Burkazi caused significant distress through his behaviour.

"The victim’s courage, combined with the thorough work of our officers in gathering the evidence, has ensured he was held accountable for his crimes."