BRISTOL CHILD SEX OFFENDER SPARED JAIL AMID COVID-19 CONCERNS
A juvenile sex offender from Bristol has avoided an immediate imprisonment after a judge suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic would have worsened his incarceration.Earlier this year, Christopher Manning pleaded guilty to four counts of engaging in sexual activities with a minor and one count of encouraging or inducing a child to participate in sexual acts.
The court was informed that he befriended a 15-year-old girl, inappropriately touched her, and expressed his love for her.
He also sent her sexually explicit messages and placed her hand on his genitals over his clothing.
His legal representative described his conduct as "extraordinarily bad." The 49-year-old resident of Clay Bottom, Eastville, Bristol, was initially sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to a 12-month prison term suspended for two years, along with a curfew, a decision which his family criticized as "rubbish." On appeal, his sentence was increased to two years, but it remained suspended.
Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett explained that the COVID-19 pandemic made imprisonment more challenging and distressing, with inmates confined to their cells for 23 hours a day and unable to have visitors.
