NORFOLK SEX OFFENDER SPARED JAIL AFTER CONFESSION TO POLICE
A man who embarked on a sexual relationship with a teenage girl was only caught after he confessed to police 10 years later, a court has heard.Jason Wall was 18 or 19 when he started the relationship with the girl, who was then just 13, in 2013.
Norwich Crown Court heard Wall, now 31, continued to have sex with the girl - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - until 2016.
But in July 2023 Wall, who has had mental health difficulties, called police in Somerset while he was in hospital receiving treatment and reported the offending.
He told police he had contacted them as it had been 'eating away at him' that he had 'not been dealt with' for the offences, which took place in the Thetford area.
The defendant, of Boyd Avenue, Dereham, appeared for sentencing after he admitted being an adult over 18 engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl, aged 13 to 15, between 2013 and 2016.
Judge Andrew Shaw said it was an 'exceptional' case in that 'but for the fact you phoned police to report this matter I'm sure it would never have come to the state's attention'.
Giving him credit for his mitigation, Judge Shaw imposed a two year community order.
Andrew Oliver, mitigating, said Wall had a difficult upbringing, spending much of it in care, and had 'difficulties with his mental health'.
The barrister added a decade had passed since the offending with nothing recorded against him since.
Wall was also ordered to carry out 25 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR).
He was also put on the sex offenders' register for five years.
