A PAEDOPHILE who sexually assaulted a boy aged 15 while his victim slept has been given a suspended jail sentence at Plymouth Crown Court.
The court heard that on October 17, 2008, Martin King molested the boy in his flat in Devonport Road, Stoke.
He has previous convictions for offences including an indecent assault on a female and possessing indecent photographs.
Denny Matthews, for King, said he accepted he had been truculent and ill-tempered in his interview with the Probation Service, but would comply with the sentence.
Judge Francis Gilbert reminded King that at an earlier hearing he had given a Goodyear Indication that he would not be jailed immediately if he pleaded guilty.
The aim had been to spare King’s young victim the embarrassment and distress of giving evidence at a trial: but Judge Gilbert said King had shown no remorse, blaming his young victim, and the offence demanded a suspended jail sentence to punish and deter him.
He imposed a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, banned him for two years from staying the night in any dwelling with a child under 16 and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.
He cautioned King: “You are old enough to know what happens if you breach these conditions.
“If you cross the barrier, you know the consequences; any breach and you can be confident you will be sent to prison.”
