January 2009 Sex offender avoids jail A Cheltenham man escaped prison for sex offences committed three decades ago. David Roberts, 57, of Sinclair Road, had committed no further offences since, Gloucester Crown Court heard. Earlier, Roberts had admitted two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14. Judge William Hart said after such a long period of no further offences, Roberts was entitled to say he was not the man he was at the time of the crimes. The judge said there were exceptional circumstances  which allowed him to pass a suspended sentence. He sentenced Roberts to 18 months in prison suspended for two years – concurrent on each count – and ordered that he sign the sex offender’s register for 10 years. He also made him the subject of a sexual offences prevention order for five years with conditions including he was not to reside in a household with someone under 16, not including those staying temporarily.