Andrew Jackson 60

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'It would be cruel to send you to jail': What lenient judge told sex offender who stalked schoolgirls

A JUDGE took pity on a sex offender and decided sending him to prison would be utterly cruel.

Andrew Jackson, 48, twice stalked schoolgirls aged 13 and 14 and attacked a disabled woman he claimed was a prostitute.

But Judge Jeremy Richardson QC allowed him to walk free, saying it would border on cruelty to jail him because he suffers from Asperger syndrome.

He told Jackson: You deserve to be sent to prison. But sending someone like you to prison would be utterly cruel.

You are very much to be pitied. You have never had a full sexual relationship. It must be very frustrating.

He added: I have a public duty, but it would be quiet wrong to impose a cruel punishment.

"Quite frankly you could not cope in prison. I have no doubt your life would be a misery.

Hull crown court heard Jackson had already been spoken to twice by police for stalking children in playgrounds and wooded areas in the seaside town of Bridlington, East Yorks.

He showed one girl aged 13 a picture of his privates.

Police said he sexually questioned two 14-year-old girls before asking: Are you legal?

He then molested a 21-year-old woman in a park.

The womans friend heard her screams and dragged Jackson off her.

Judge Richardson said he had aggravated matters by falsely claiming the woman had prostituted herself to him for 20.

Martin Sharpe, prosecuting, said police in Bridlington were so concerned about Jackson they wanted a Sexual Offences Prevention Order imposed on him to keep him out of childrens playgrounds.

Patrick Palmer, defending, said Jackson had an IQ of 75, lived at home with his parents, did not work and had suffered all his life from an undiagnosed condition.

Jackson, of Bridlington, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault by touching, knowing that the woman did not consent.

Judge Richardson sentenced the pest to a two-year community order with a supervision requirement in the hope that it might alter his behaviour.

He also imposed a 10-year sexual offences prevention order on him and put him on the sex offenders register for five years.

The judge told Jackson: Young girls have to be protected in your area.

You have to learn to control yourself. I regard sexual offences as a very serious crime. Usually the men involved deserve to be sent to prison.

It would not be right here. It would be bordering on cruelty.

However, if you harass any more girls, you will end up in jail.