April 2013 MAN AVOIDS JAIL AT UNDERAGE SEX TRIAL A man who had sex with an underage girl in the Barrow area has today avoided a jail term. Jason Todd from Longridge, near Preston, had pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual activity with a child while he’d been in his early thirties. The judge said the 41 year old’s case was an unusual one and passed a suspended sentence, because it wasn’t a case of a “predator” seeking sexual gratification from young girls, but that he was “emotionally immature” at the time, according to his defence Barrister. Appearing before Preston Crown Court today, Todd was given two years prison, suspended for two years, and was put on the sex offenders register for ten years. He was also given two years supervision and ordered to join a Community Sex Offenders Treatment Programme. For five years, he was also barred from having any unsupervised contact with anyone under sixteen years old. Preston Crown Court heard that she came forward to make a complaint several years later, and at the time of the offence she appeared to be “besotted” with him. While Judge Anthony Russell QC agreed that it was an unusual case, he added “You were considerably older than her. It should be remembered that the law exists to protect young people, not only from older people who may take advantage of them, but also to protect them from themselves and their own foolish immaturity.” March 2013 FURNESS MAN FACES JAIL FOR SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILD A MAN who has admitted sexual activity with an underage girl has been warned he is likely to be jailed. Jason Todd, 41, from the Furness area, pleaded guilty at a Preston Crown Court hearing today (March 1) to a charge of sexual activity with a child, a teenage girl under sixteen. He denied another charge of sexual activity with a child, the same female, and his pleas were accepted by the prosecution at the hearing. Defence barrister, Mr Brian Williams, told the court: “He is under no illusions as to the powers of the court for sentencing. “He was frank with the police in interview, made admissions and has pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity.” Todd was remanded in custody and is next due to appear on April 5 to be sentenced. A pre-sentence report will be prepared by the probation service. Judge Jacqueline Beech told the defendant: “You know the powers that face the court that sentences you. 
“Do not be under any delusion you will not be sent to prison on the 5th of April.” She told the defendant he would also have to sign on the sex offenders’ register.