A MAN has been jailed after he sexually assaulted two teenage girls.

Arpan Duggal, 26, of Timperley, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and sentenced to 18 months in prison at Manchester Crown Court on Tuesday (June 26).

The victims, aged 13 and 14, were given his number by a relative, who told them Duggal, who was working as a taxi driver at the time, would give them free lifts.

On April 24 2011, the girls called his mobile and arranged to be collected from the Northern Moor area and taken to Fallowfield.

During the journey, Duggal touched one of the girl’s legs and asked them both if they had boyfriends.

He then stopped on Palatine Road and asked the girls to swap seats.

When they arrived at the address in Fallowfield, one girl got out of the car and Duggal locked the other in his car and sexually assaulted her.

Neither girl reported the incident until Duggal began texting and phoning one of them.

Detective Constable Charlotte Owens, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Duggal has used the ploy of offering free lifts to get the girls in his car.

“When he did he sexually assaulted them.

“I hope the victim’s take some comfort from knowing he has now been sentenced.

“It is worth noting that Duggal’s former employers were equally appalled by what he did and have fully cooperated with the police during the investigation.

“His actions should in no way reflect them or any of their drivers who provide a valuable service for many in the area.”