September 2011

Suspended jail term for two sex offences

A SOMERCOTES man considered a danger to young people has been given a suspended jail term for two sex offences.

Magistrates at Chesterfield heard that Robert Taylor, 58, indecently touched two girls, aged 15 and 17, at his home.

Angela Hadfield, prosecuting, said he had put his hand on the older girl’s leg and did not move it for five to ten minutes. He asked her and her boyfriend about their relationship.

Taylor also touched the younger girl above her clothing.

The court heard she was now having counselling.

“It is felt that he is a general threat to young people,” said Mrs Hadfield.

Taylor, of Coupland Place, Somercotes, initially denied charges of intentionally touching the girls in a sexual manner between last December 10 and January 31, but he changed his plea to guilty on the day of his trial.

He received a six-week jail sentence but it was suspended for 18 months. Magistrates imposed an 18-month supervision order, with £250 costs to pay.

Taylor, a self-employed builder, was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for seven years and a five-year sexual offences prevention order was imposed, prohibiting him from having unsupervised contact with under-18s.