In Butler County Court on Thursday, a 41-year-old man, who was accused of molesting a Center Township girl, expressed dissatisfaction with his plea agreement and his impending 30 to 60 month state prison sentence.

Claiming he’s truly innocent and demanding a jury trial, Thomas J. Burns Jr. asked to withdraw his plea of guilt to two counts of simple assault.

“I was under extreme pressure to take that plea,” he claimed. “It was a mistake, not a stalling tactic.”

But Judge William Shaffer had heard the argument from the repeat felon earlier, and he denied the request and sent Westmoreland County man to start his prison time.

According to court records, the victim in the case, a 12-year-old, told a Butler County Children and Youth Services caseworker that Burns groped her on two separate occasions.

Investigators charged Burns with two counts of corruption of minors and five misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.

In November 2014, Burns pleaded no contest to indecent assault. But a couple months later, he with drew that plea.

In November of this year, he entered the new plea arrangement which calls for a slightly longer prison term, but carries no sex offender registration requirements.

Court records say if Burns had stuck with his first deal, he would have been sentenced to 24 to 60 months in prison. But he would have had to register his whereabouts with state police for 25 years.

Under the new deal, Burns does not have to register his whereabouts with state police at any time.

Assistant District Attorney Ben Simon said he consulted with the victim and her family before entering the plea arrangement with Burns.

The record reflects that Burns was earlier evaluated by a member of the state’s sexual offender assessment board who determined he does not meet the criteria to be deemed a sexually violent predator.

However, five days after entering the new plea deal Burns asked to withdraw it again. This time the judge refused the request.

But that didn’t stop Burns on Thursday from once again airing his claims in court.

As part of the sentence, Burns was given credit for 451 days he already spent in prison awaiting resolution of the case. After he finishes his prison term, he must serve two years’ probation.

Court records showed Burns has an extensive criminal record in four counties — Butler, Beaver, Allegheny and Westmoreland.

His most recent conviction in 2006 was for robbery in Allegheny County. He was sentenced in that case to 1 to 2 years in jail.