September 2013
‘Shuffling’ pensioner who sexually abused girl, eight, spared jail
A pensioner who sexually abused a young girl about 20 years ago has been spared jail because of his ill health. He admitted three charges of indecently assaulting the girl when she was eight.
Hull Crown Court heard Thomas Tomlin, 63, of Kirkgate, Bridlington, suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and has the lung function of a 90-year-old.
The Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding, Judge Michael Mettyear, told Tomlin: “It is very, very rare for me to pass sentence in a case like this without sending a person straight to prison. It is almost a unique experience to do so. You now, at the comparatively young age of 63, look like, walk like and shuffle like an old man. Time has not been kind to you. Although I’m tempted to lock you up, I can’t see who it would help.”
Alcoholic Tomlin was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and must take part in a sex offender treatment programme.
