A PAEDOPHILE from Herefordshire who was caught communicating sexually with a child has avoided being sent to prison.
Worcester Crown Court heard in June how Marc Beale, 70, from Ocle Pychard, wanted to obtain sexual gratification from speaking to a girl aged under 16.
According to court documents from his first court appearance in July last year, Beale told his victim not to wear underwear and that she had to wear short skirts. He also told her that he would "hold her under" in a cold bath and sleep in a bed with her.
Beale had also taken two indecent photographs of children.
He has avoided being sent to prison immediately, being handed three concurrent sentences of 15 months, six months and three months, all suspended for two years.
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He was also handed a community order with 140 hours of unpaid work and 40 rehabilitation days.
At the hearing on June 21, the court also deprived him of his mobile phone and two memory cards.
He was given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and added to the sex offenders register for 10 years.
He must pay £500 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £187.
The offences spanned almost three months last year, with Beale being convicted of the crimes after initially entering a not guilty plea.
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