A paedophile who sexually abused a five-year-old has avoided jail after "unacceptable" delays in bringing the case to court.

Paul Goodey attacked the boy, biting him in the process, and incited him to perform a sex act. He then told his victim not to tell anyone.

The incident in 2018 came to light when the victim revealed to his mother what the 32-year-old had done.

Goodey, of Coppice Road, Chatham, has now received a three-year community order after admitting two sex offences.

Prosecutor Peter Forbes told Maidstone Crown Court: "This defendant sexually assaulted a five-year-old boy leaving his victim with a mark from a bite. This happened when the child was visiting a friend in Gillingham."

On the way home the victim told his mother what had happened and that Goodey had instructed him not to reveal the sordid act.

The child said Goodey should go to jail for what he did and doctors later discovered a mark on the child which corroborated his account.

Mr Forbes said there had been an "unacceptable" delay in the Crown Prosecution Service bringing the case to trial.

It had been reported to police in January 2018 but charges weren't authorised until March 2020.

Paul Hogben, defending, said the delay had been "unconscionable" but wasn't the fault of the defendant.

Now the judge, Recorder Sarah Elliott QC, has said Goodey could have faced a jail term of up to nine years but, partially because of delays in bringing the case to court, he would keep his freedom.

She said Goodey has learning difficulties and she had to decide whether "you should go to prison or receive highly specialised" treatment, involving 50 days rehabilitation, mental health treatment and supervision.

Goodey was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a five-year restraining order.

He was given a two-year jail sentence suspended for two years, and ordered to attend a special programme to help deal with his behaviour. He was also instructed to do 250 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Goodey will remain on the Sex Offender's List for seven years.

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