A PAEDOPHILE who used chocolate to bribe a seven-year-old girl in to exposing herself has avoided jail.
Ian MacLeod, 58, of Richmond Avenue, Benfleet, was also caught with indecent images on his laptop of the girl and a baby.
He was handed a two-year suspended sentence, a three-year community order and ordered to attend a three-year sexual offenders’ programme when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday.
Judge David Owen-Jones described MacLeod’s behaviour as appalling. The court heard concerns were raised after the victim’s family found the youngster with a bar of chocolate.
When her parents asked where it came from, she said MacLeod had given it to her, but warned her not to tell anyone.
She also told them MacLeod had asked her to expose herself in exchange for chocolate.
Police arrested MacLeod – a divorcee – and seized two laptops from his house.
MaCleod has moved to Canvey while he carries out the community order.
He was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register and was made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order.
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