A family man with a promising career at Bradford Council has been jailed for child sex offences.

Robert Whiteley, 42, sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl on her way to school.

After his arrest, a police search of his home uncovered more than 2,000 indecent images of children on his computer, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Whiteley, of Low Ash Drive, Wrose, Bradford, pleaded guilty at Bingley Magistrates Court in November to touching the schoolgirl's bottom and to 21 offences of possessing indecent images of children.

Judge James Spencer QC said Whiteley, who had a promising career in the Council's pensions fund department, assaulted the child for his own gratification.

"You touched her on the bottom and must have terrified her. You presented that day a serious risk to that child," the judge said.

Whiteley, the father of two young children, was jailed for nine months. He must register as a sex offender for ten years and a sexual offences prevention order was made against him.

Judge Spencer ordered that Whiteley's home computer, seized by the police, is forfeit and will be destroyed.

Prosecutor Zafar Siddique told the court Whiteley put his arm round the girl and sexually assaulted her on December 12, 2006.

She ran off and when she arrived at school she told her teacher and the police were called. CCTV footage of Whiteley on a bus minutes later led to his arrest, the court heard.

Louise Azmi said in mitigation that Whiteley was of good character and had a promising career with Bradford Council.

He had been suspended from his job and was not allowed to live at home with his wife and two young children. He was truly remorseful for his victim and had brought shame on his family.

Miss Azmi said that although Whiteley's wife found the offences abhorrent she was standing by him. "He has a long road to travel to rebuild his life and his relationship with his children," she said.