MIRFIELD MAN SPARED PRISON AFTER SENDING INDECENT IMAGES TO TEEN
A male who exchanged indecent images with a teenager via Instagram and subsequently assaulted another boy has been given a non-custodial sentence.James Thain, 37, targeted three minors during his offending period, which started in 2019 and was brought to police attention when his ex-husband reported suspicious messages found on Instagram.
At Leeds Crown Court, it was stated on Friday: "His ex-husband approached police after noticing inappropriate messages between Thain and another person on Instagram." Ms.
Recorder Wadoodi noted: "On the same day, a father reported that Thain had sexually assaulted his son." The court heard Thain knew his first victim was 15 but nonetheless persisted in sending explicit communications, including a nude photo of himself, from August 1, 2019, to August 2, 2021.
This constitutes a sexual communication with a minor.
The initially contactless victim, who lacked a paternal figure, felt disrespected and has been experiencing paranoia since reporting the incident.
Prosecutor Nick Adlington also mentioned that Thain was sentenced for touching another boy on the buttocks while in bed in 2020.
Thain asserted that this only happened once.
One of the victims described Thain as a "sad loser" who took advantage of childhood innocence.
Defence lawyer Rebecca Randall stated that Thain, residing on Hopton Lane in Mirfield, had undergone assessment and was deemed likely to respond well to sex offender treatment.
She highlighted that the second offence was fleeting and occurred only once.
The judge opted not to impose immediate imprisonment, instead sentencing Thain to 12 months suspended for 18 months for charges including sexual communication with a child, sexual activity with a child, and sexual assault.
He was also placed under a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a seven-year restraining order.
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