A man has been sentenced for the sexual touching of a man in North Devon.
Clint Barnes, 56, from Morecambe, appeared at Exeter Crown Court for sentence after being convicted of three indecent assaults.
Barnes was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended for three years. He must complete 250 hours of unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £2,500 in compensation to the victim.
Barnes must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.
All three charges related to the same victim who was then a teenager/young adult.
The court heard how the offences took place in the late 1990s and early 2000s in the Bideford area.
The offences were reported in 2022 after the victim in the case made disclosures during a visit to hospital.
He described being abused by Barnes on numerous occasions.
Barnes touched the victim sexually over clothing and made unwanted sexual remarks.
Officer in the case, Detective Constable Kerry Mitchell said: “I would like to thank the victim for his immense courage in reporting this to us and remaining engaged during the court process.
“While this conviction may not have resulted in an immediate custodial sentence, it still goes to show that victims of unwanted sexual touching will be believed when reporting abuse to us, regardless of how much time has passed since the incidents.”
Support available
If you have been affected by this article there is support available.
You can visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system.
You can also call Victim Support on 0808 1689 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.
Advice and support can also be found at:
National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999
Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626
For more information please visit: www.dc.police.uk/Rape-SexualAssault
