Paedophile escapes jail

10:12am Monday 12th February 2007

ANOTHER paedophile who sexually assaulted a young girl has walked free from an Oxford court - this time after a Judge said while the crime was disgusting, he had a lot of "good" in him.

Only 10 days ago, Judge Julian Hall freed pensioner Eric Cole, 71, of Bedford, who admitted sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl, then told him at Oxford Crown Court the compensation could buy his victim a new bike.

This time Judge Christopher Compston has set free Steven Jeanne, 39, of Barry Avenue in Bicester, who was convicted by a jury at the crown court of abusing a nine-year-old girl.

Judge Compston said during sentencing that Jeanne, who is a former IT worker for Oxfordshire County Council and held information on schools, did not deserve jail after being told the sexual assault was a 'one-off'.

Jeanne had previously denied a charge of sexual assault on a child under 13 and was found guilty at a trial but changed his plea causing sentencing to be adjourned on January 9.

He was suspended from his post as an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) officer at the county council when the allegation was made and Jeanne resigned in December.

Judge Compston said: "I have no doubt this is serious and disgraceful and disgusting.

"However I accept you are just a normal man who probably in drink misbehaved and for that reason I will give you this chance.

"I will make it absolutely clear if anything like this happens again, even a whisper, then to prison you will go and your reputation will go forever.

"You have a loving and supportive family and you have a lot of good in you."

Jeanne was handed a supervision order for three years and given a specific condition to attend and co-operate with a sexual offenders programme.

His name will be on the sex offenders' register for life.

Judge Compston warned Jeanne if he missed appointments for the sexual offenders' programme he would be jailed.

Defending, Paul Reid, told the court Jeanne had been living with parents but now planned to move in with a sister who has two young children aged six and 12.

He said: "This really does have the feeling of a one off about it. This is a man of good character."

The sexual abuse against the 9-year-old girl took place in Banbury between January 28 and 30 last year, an earlier hearing was told.

His job at the county council allowed him to provide IT support for schools across the county and hold information about schools and individual pupils.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said: "Steven Jeanne was suspended as soon as the allegation was brought to our attention.

"He subsequently resigned and left the council's employment in December 2006.

"His job did not bring him into contact with individual pupils."

Pensioner Eric Cole was freed by Oxford Crown Court on February 1 after Judge Hall said he needed treatment in the community and not prison.

The victim's step-father had called for Judge Hall to stand down.