Doncaster man who groped teenage boy placed on Sex Offenders Register

Darryl Fox, 49, of St Eric's Road, Bessacarr, Doncaster, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child when he appeared in court on November 12, after initially denying the offence.

Fox fondled the 15-year-old boy's genitals over his clothing in 2019, said prosecutor Ian Goldsack on Friday.

"He tried to push his hand away," Mr Goldsack said. "But he described the defendant persisting in the contact which may have gone on for ten minutes."

The matter wasn't immediately reported, but the incident had a "significant impact" on the boy and "affected him in a large number of ways."

The court heard Fox was cautioned for a similar matter 18 years ago, and has breached a notification requirement in the past.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, said it was a "nasty episode," but Fox was not a prolific sex offender.

He said there had been "considerable consumption of alcohol" before the incident.

The judge told Fox that his victim "has suffered markedly as a result of this. He has been emotionally very badly affected."

He imposed a nine month sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered Fox to carry out 35 rehabilitation days.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made for ten years, and Fox will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

"Should he step out of line once, mercy will vanish and he will go straight to prison," Judge Richardson added.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

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