Artist Henry Christopher Mendes, 64, of Park an Pyth, Pendeen, Penzance had denied forcing the first girl, who was approximately eight years-old, to perform a sex act on him and running his hand up the body of the second girl, also aged around eight.
However, after hearing the two victims give evidence at Blackfriars Crown Court Mendes unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty and will be sentenced on June 12.
Prosecutor Mr. Shaun Esprit told the jury the offences occurred in north London's Kentish Town in the late 1970's and only came to the police's attention when the first complainant reported Mendes in 2013, encouraged by her friend revealing she was also molested.
“The defendant went out to go to the off-licence and he asked the first complainant if she fancied coming with him to get an ice-cream,” he told the court. “He stopped off at a pub and left her outside while he popped in.
“She was left outside on her own and after what seemed to her an eternity the defendant returned and as they walked back he took her through an elevated area, which was higher up and had a swing and concrete blocks.
“The defendant made her sit down on one and she noticed he was mumbling to himself and fiddling with the zip on his trousers and she did not know what was going on.”
The girl then performed a sex act on Mendes, said Mr. Esprit. “Afterwards he seemed relieved and satisfied.”
The girl remained silent until 1989. “She blurted out what happened to her mother. It was an emotional outburst.”
The complainant later emailed Mendes. “She brought up what happened and expressed a lot of anger and was extremely emotional.”
The second complainant also told police she was targeted by the defendant, added Mr. Esprit.
“She was asleep in bed and awoke and was aware of someone next to her, a man, and could hear ponderous breathing.
“She did not open her eyes, but recognised the voice of the defendant saying: 'You're so beautiful' and she felt a hand under the duvet, which bit by bit moved up.
“It stopped short of between her legs when a man's voice outside her bedroom door said: 'Chris, let's go to the off-licence.'
“The defendant was known by his second name, Chris,” the prosecutor told the court.
Mendes was arrested and questioned by police. “He denied the assaults.”
Mendes had pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent assault in relation to each girl between July 8, 1976 and November 27, 1979.
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