April 2022 Bingley man sexually abused young boy in return for small gifts of money A man aged 64 has been spared an immediate prison sentence for sexually abusing a young boy after the court heard of his cerebral palsy and learning disability. Alan Thompson, of Ash Terrace, Bingley, pleaded guilty to inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and to two counts of sexual activity with the same boy. Prosecutor David McGonigal told Bradford Crown Court today that Thompson would touch his victim indecently in return for giving him small gifts of money. He asked the boy to touch him in a private place on one occasion but when he refused he did not persist. Mr McGonigal said the offences were aggravated by the handing over of money, varying from £1 to £3. The boy’s mother told of ‘the massive impact’ the abuse had had on her son and her anger at what Thompson had done. Judge Andrew Hatton said the boy ‘bottled up’ what had happened until he told a school friend and the police were alerted. He was so ‘embarrassed and ashamed’ he had to write down what Thompson had done to him rather than speak out loud about it. Thompson encouraged the boy to think there was nothing wrong with his behaviour. But he was of otherwise good character and he had cerebral palsy and a learning disability. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, with up to 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days with the probation service. Judge Hatton said there was a real prospect of rehabilitation now Thompson had acknowledged his ‘difficulties in relation to young boys.’ The court made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life and he must sign on the sex offender register for ten years.