A MAN grabbed an 11-year-old boy outside his school and led him along an alley before pinning him to a wall and trying to kiss him, a court heard yesterday.

Paul Oakes, 44, who previously admitted child abduction, said he was drunk and had no sexual motive when he committed the offence, in March.

Jailing him for two years and eight months at Durham Crown Court, Judge Christopher Prince said: “That does not offer any mitigation or excuse for the way you behaved.

“You did not desist or stop what you were doing voluntarily.

You did not stop until challenged by a teacher who ran out of the school. She is to be commended.”

The court heard that having confronted his victim outside the school, Oakes led him along a nearby alley with his arms around his shoulders.

Lesley Kirkup, prosecuting, said the frightened boy sat against a wall while Oakes put his arms either side of him, leaned forward and tried to kiss him on his cheeks.

Ms Kirkup said a concerned teacher saw Oakes appearing to cuddle the boy.

The teacher told police: “I was concerned for his safety as the male was very touchy-feely and the boy’s body language suggested he wasn’t comfortable.”

She challenged Oakes, who allowed the boy to walk free.

David Lamb, for Oakes, told a previous hearing: “He is known as the village drunk and, clearly, he had consumed a great deal of alcohol on this occasion. He cannot understand how he could act in this way at all, but could not offer a better explanation because of his level of intoxication.”

Pre-sentence reports prepared for the court revealed no history suggesting a sexual preference for children.

The court heard the victim has been bullied by fellow pupils as a result.

Judge Prince said there was nothing the boy could do when accosted by Oakes.

The court was told that Oakes, of Freville Street, Shildon, County Durham, was previously made the subject of restraining and sexual offences prevention orders.

Judge Prince said “the perfectly proper inference to draw is there was a sexual element to this offence”, but said that did not form part of the sentence.