Devon man spared prison after child sex offences verdict

DEVON MAN SPARED PRISON AFTER CHILD SEX OFFENCES VERDICT

A Devon man found guilty of child sex offences has been spared prison as a result of recent changes to sentencing guidelines.

Clint Barnes, 56, from Northam, was convicted by a jury at Exeter Crown Court in April of three indecent assaults dating back more than 20 years against a single victim.

Sentencing judge Stephen Climie said the offences were serious enough for prison but new rules, which came into force on March 22, meant he had suspend the sentence.

He said: "In my judgement there can and should be a sentence of 12 months." But he said the Sentencing Act 2026 'made it clear there is a presumption that sentences of 12 months or less must be suspended'.

He added: "I don't deal with the legislation, I have to apply it, and for those reasons, any only those reasons, as this is a case which last year I would have sent you to custody immediately for 12 months, I suspend that for the next two years." Barnes, of Bassetts Close, was told to pay £2,500 in compensation, do 250 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days.

The court was told the offences involved Barnes making lewd comments and grabbing the victim's genitals over clothing.

Two of the offences were against a boy under 16.

His victim said in a statement that he had struggled for many years to deal with what happened but 'facing his demons' and getting justice after so many years had helped him to deal with his past.