A TEENAGER who filmed himself molesting a younger girl has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Judge Jason Taylor QC told Reece Dillon that he was suspending the 16 month prison sentence for two years so the 19-year-old could complete the sex offender rehabilitation programme.

Sentencing Dillon, who had earlier admitted two counts of sexual assault, Judge Taylor said: “The overriding consideration here for me is your level of risk. I have to admit that has troubled me and had the sentence been over four years I would have given anxious consideration as to whether you fall within the dangerousness provisions.

“However, despite probation assessing your risk as high I am reassured by the report of Dr Broderick, a respected psychologist who also sits on the parole board...and he is not as categoric.

“That said, it is readily apparent that you need help in addressing certain issues and thought processes, and you would only get help in custody - from enquiries I have made with probation this morning - if I pass a sentence with a minimum of four years and I cannot get to that number given the relevant guideline.

“Therefore, to protect the public I am driven to conclude that your sentence must involve you keeping your liberty because that is the only way that you can do the sex offender’s programme and you need to do that.”

Passing sentence on the first count of sexual assault, Judge Taylor took a starting point of 28 months’ imprisonment but reduced it by 15 per cent to take account of the fact Dillon was a week short of his 18th birthday when he committed the offence then gave him a third credit for his early guilty plea.

The remaining sentences would run concurrently, the judge said.

Swindon Crown Court heard the sexual abuse came to light after the victim, who is in her teens, mentioned the assaults to her friend.

Police checked Dillon’s phone and found he’d recorded his vile behaviour, which involved him touching the girl sexually as she lay in bed.

Prosecutor Tom Wilkins said the police had also found 39 prohibited cartoon images on the teenager’s digital devices showing children engaged in sexual acts.

Dillon, of Bosworth Road, Grange Park, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to sexual assault and possession of prohibited images. He had no previous convictions.

Emma Handslip, mitigating, said a psychiatric report commissioned from a consultant psychologist pointed to her client having a type of developmental disorder.

“This is somebody who is immature, this is somebody who is deemed to have some complex needs and, really, all of these things are going to impact on his ability, his understanding and, perhaps, his culpability,” she added.

Dillon was made subject to a 10 year sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for a decade.

Under the terms of his suspended sentence he must complete the Horizon sex offenders’ programme, complete up to 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and do 200 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Taylor told Dillon: “If you commit any further offences during the currency of the suspended sentence order you will be brought back to court and the presumption will be you will go immediately to prison, do you understand that?

“I will remember you and if you come back before me for any problem with this order you will know where you are going because I’ve given you a chance today.”