AN Old Trafford woman has spoken of her disgust at the beha-viour of her ex-partner, who was jail-ed for secretly filming naked school-girls on a sun-bed.

The woman, who does not wish to be named, was with Alan Rowland for more than eight years but it wasn't until earlier this year that she became suspicious of his behaviour.

She discovered photo albums and videos in the loft, including footage of the schoolgirls, filmed with a secretly hidden camera, adjusted to get a better view.

The woman said: "He was the quietest, gentlest and most loving man, but he turn-ed out to be a monster. He was very, very clever and was always one step ahead of everybody.

"He twisted everything I said and made me think it was me who was sick and needed help.

"I lost everything when I told the police - my home, my belongings - but I'm determined that he isn't going to destroy me. I've managed to pick myself back up again because I'm not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me suffer."

Alan Rowland, a 36 year-old postman, encouraged the three teenagers to use the tanning bed by telling them it would prevent burning on their summer holidays and he later indecently assaulted one of the girls after telling her she needed to apply cream for an infection she might have.

Rowland, of Alexandra Road, Peel Green, Eccles, pleaded guilty to three counts of taking indecent photographs and one charge of indecent assault.

He was jailed for six months and has been suspended by Royal Mail.

Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester heard how Rowland - who met the girls through a friend - committed the offences at a house in Salford between January and September last year.

Miss Hilary Manley, prosecuting, said Rowland filmed three girls, two aged 15 and a 14 year-old. He had bought one of them underwear and spoken to her regarding sexual issues which made her "feel weird".

When arrested Rowland made no comment. Witness impact statements from the girls were submitted to the court.

In mitigation, defence counsel Mr Howard Baisden said Rowland had been subject to some degree of emotional blackmail at the time and was at "his wits end".

He said: "The indecent assault was an isolated incident of misbehaviour of this sort. There was only a week when the sun-bed was hired and the girls were videoed on a limited number of occasions.

"The defendant was a man of positively good character. He has written to the girls to apologise."

Passing sentence Judge Jonathan Geake told him: "This is a sad day for you and all your friends and family. I have a clear picture of a man with a somewhat distorted view of sexuality.

"I have seen the video recording of the three girls which was concealed on a wardrobe in the bedroom then altered to see their private parts.

"This was clearly a disgraceful breach of trust. It is clear you took great care for the video not to be seen. Understandably these girls were genuinely upset and distressed to know their privacy had been invaded."

Rowland must now sign the Sex Offender Register for five years.