PAUL BIGGS FROM CHIPPING NORTON RECEIVES COMMUNITY ORDER AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON BOY

In June 2014, a man named Paul Biggs, 22, from The Penn, Over Norton, near Chipping Norton, was sentenced to a community order after being convicted of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old boy.

The incident occurred on September 1, 2007, and Biggs was found guilty last month by Oxford Crown Court. The young victim cannot be named for legal reasons.

At the time of the offence, Biggs was 16 years old and had learning difficulties. A jury cleared him of one additional count of sexual assault, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of rape.

During sentencing, Judge Patrick Eccles emphasized the seriousness of such offences, stating: "Sexually touching a child may have very bad consequences for them in later life, nobody knows how they will feel about it. That is why it is taken very seriously by the courts. Had you been convicted of all of the offences then you would have been sent to prison. That is not happening to you but this is serious enough for a community order."

The judge also acknowledged Biggs's age and learning difficulties, noting: “You were only 16 yourself and the court recognises because you have significant learning difficulties you might not have appreciated this type of sexual experimenting could have bad consequences for the young boy you touched.”

Biggs was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including supervision and requirements to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He is also required to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years and pay £300 towards court costs.

In a related case in May 2014, Biggs was also convicted of sexually assaulting a boy under 13 on the same date, September 1, 2007. A jury at Oxford Crown Court cleared him of the other charges mentioned previously. He was released on bail and scheduled for sentencing on June 12.