A convicted sex offender who molested a teen boy on New Years’ Day has been warned to expect jail.
Steven Gardner, 43, of Summerleaze, Trowbridge, had been due to stand trial this week on allegations of attempted oral rape and sexual assault. The offences were alleged to have been committed on January 1 this year.
However, on the day his trial was due to begin he pleaded guilty to sexual assault. He had previously denied the oral rape charge.
Prosecutor Ian Fenny told Swindon Crown Court the plea to sexual assault was acceptable to the Crown – sparing Gardner’s young victim, who is in his early teens, from having to go through the ordeal of giving evidence before a jury.
The defendant was convicted of a sexual offence in 2006, although the nature of the conviction was not explained in court.
Judge Peter Crabtree remanded Gardner in custody and ordered a pre-sentence report. He told the man, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey t-shirt: “It’s serious. The starting point is custody.”
Gardner will be sentenced on September 8.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article