A 22-year-old man has been sentenced by a judge for sex crimes he committed against a child while he was a youngster.
Jacob Stott initially denied offences which occurred in the Eden Valley while he was in his early teens.
And when the victim was too distressed to co-operate with an investigation, police took no further action.
But years later, when disclosures again surfaced during 2020, Stott was quizzed again.
He confessed in WhatsApp messages to wrongdoing, saying he regretted it and was no longer the same person. He made full and frank admissions when interviewed by police.
Stott, of Queensberry Street, Annan, admitted four charges of non-penetrative sexual activity with a child aged under 13.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Stott was a man of previous good character, realised the seriousness of what he had done and would, said his barrister Judith McCullough, apologise to his victim “in a heartbeat”.
Judge Nicholas Barker imposed a two-year community order and ordered Stott to complete 150 hours’ unpaid work.
Taking what he called an “exceptional course”, the judge noted the passage of time, Stott’s age and said there was no suggestion nor any evidence to suggest he had an inappropriate sexual attitude either to adults or to children.
Judge Barker added: “Anyone hearing the judgement in this case should not draw any conclusion that the court has any other view that offending towards children is taken as anything other than the most serious of offending.”
Stott must also sign the sex offenders’ register for five years.
