Cradley grandfather convicted of sexual harassment against a schoolboy
A 70-year-old Cradley grandfather made sexual advances to a frightened 14-year-old schoolboy and was forced to flee his home when it was attacked following his arrest, a court heard.
Ivan Hughes admitted harassment with intent to commit a sexual offence after buying the boy cigarettes and was sentenced to a three year community order at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
A condition of the order was that he attends a sexual offenders programme and he must also register as a sex offender for five years.
Stephen Bailey, prosecuting, said Hughes, of Avon Road, had told the teenager he “fancied him.”
The boy was “shocked, confused and scared,” said Mr Bailey and the following day, after Hughes made a sexually overt comment, he ran away and told a friend what had taken place.
The boy’s mother learned about the incident and after police had been informed Hughes was arrested. When questioned he agreed he had bought the boy cigarettes but denied saying he “fancied him.”
Samantha Powis, defending, said that after his arrest Hughes’ home had been attacked with graffiti, the windows had all been smashed and he and his wife had been forced to move out and live with friends.
She produced a file of references on behalf of Hughes, a man of previous good character, who she said was deeply ashamed of his actions.
“This was an aberration but a worrying aberration,” said Miss Powis, adding: “He has exhibited shame and remorse and recognition of what he has done.”
