Ill pensioner spared jail over sex attacks

11:59pm Tuesday 15th January 2008

A PENSIONER who sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl in a park has today been spared jail.

Arthur Wood molested the schoolgirl who was on a trip to the County Durham play area with her family in the summer of 2002.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the youngster did not report her ordeal until November 2006.

Wood was arrested and pleaded guilty to sexual assault.

The court heard how the 67-year-old was convicted of another sex attack in 2003 when he indecently assaulted a 16-year-old girl.

Defence barrister Christopher Dorman O'Gowan told the court how Wood had never been in trouble with the police before these convictions and had led a blameless, hard working life.

Mr Dorman O'Gowan said Wood is not in good health.

Judge Tony Lancaster sentenced Wood, of Marwood, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, to a community order for three years with a sexual offences prevention order, meaning he must have no contact with children, for five years.

Wood must register as a sex offender for five years.

The judge told him; "The fact you accept what you did was wrong and are aware of the nature of your wrongdoing means the sex offender group work course would be the best way for you to deal with these problems."

Judge Lancaster said Wood's guilty plea meant the youngster did not have to go through the ordeal of re-living what he did to her in the witness box.

The judge warned Wood if he fails to comply with the order he will have no hesitation in sending him to jail.