TYNWALD EX-CLERK THOMAS ST JOHN NEVILLE BATES SPARED JAIL IN CHILD SEX OFFENCE CASE IN DOUGLAS

In a recent court hearing held at Douglas Courthouse, Thomas St John Neville Bates, a 75-year-old former clerk of Tynwald, was sentenced in connection with a child sex offence. Bates, who previously served as a legal adviser to the Manx parliament from 1987 to 2001, was found guilty of exposing himself to a minor. Despite the gravity of the allegations, he was spared immediate imprisonment, receiving an eight-month sentence that was suspended, meaning he will not serve time in jail unless he commits further offences.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Bates was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. He was also mandated to pay costs amounting to £500. The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on July 3 of the previous year, which Bates admitted to during the proceedings. The court heard that he pleaded guilty to one count of gross indecency involving a child under the age of 16 during an earlier hearing.

Deemster Kainth, presiding over the case, explained that Bates's actions were deemed to be opportunistic rather than premeditated. This distinction played a role in the sentencing decision, which aimed to balance the seriousness of the offence with the circumstances surrounding it. The prosecution, however, chose not to pursue additional charges, as they offered no evidence to support allegations of indecent assault or possession of indecent images of children, which Bates had denied.

Thomas Bates's role as clerk of Tynwald was significant, as he served as a key legal adviser to the Manx parliament, acting as secretary to the House of Keys and counsel to the Speaker. His position, which he held for over a decade, placed him in a trusted and influential role within the legislative body. The court's decision reflects the serious nature of the offence, but also considers the context of Bates's long-standing service and the specifics of the case.