A man who sexually abused a young boy when he was a teenager has walked free from court.

Christopher McGibbon forced his victim to perform a sex act on him more than twenty years ago.

The 37-year-old was finally brought to justice when the man eventually went to the police in 2017.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the young boy was left traumatised by the abuse he suffered and continued to struggle with the impact throughout his adult life as well.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said the offending took place more than 20 years ago and McGibbon told the boy not to tell anyone what had happened.

In a victim impact statement, the man said the abuse had taken away his childhood and had not been able to tell anyone until 2017 when he reported it to the police.

McGibbon, of Fletcher Walk, Hartlepool, was found guilty of indecent assault following a trial.

Kate Barnes, mitigating, said there was a good prospect of rehabilitation for her client and urged the judge to pass a suspended sentence.

Judge Paul Watson KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, said: “This was an isolated incident and was not repeated and since that time you have led a hardworking and conscientious life.

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“There has been no evidence of repeat offending by you.

“There’s little or no prospect of you reoffending certainly not in the terms of the offence we are dealing with now.”

McGibbon was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days to address his behaviour.

He was also ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and was issued with an indefinite restraining order to protect his victim.