A MAN who admitted carrying out an indecent act on a four-year-old girl walked free from court yesterday.

Durham Crown Court heard that Rodney John Whitby, 39, committed the act on Tuesday, May 24.

The girl later told her mother and Whitby was confronted when his wife heard about the allegation. Euan Duff, prosecuting, said police were called and Whitby was arrested.

He told the officers: "I have been waiting for you coming. I am so sorry", and left apologetic notes to his family.

Whitby, of Bede Avenue, Sherburn Road, Durham, admitted sexual assault on a child.

Michael O'Neill, in mitigation, said Whitby suffered an unhappy childhood, during which he was abused.

He said a psychiatric assessment concluded he was only a low risk of re-offending.

Judge George Moorhouse said that because Whitby had already spent five months in custody, he would not jail him.

Imposing a three-year community rehabilitation order, including an order to attend a sex offenders' community programme, he told Whitby: "It is quite clear you need help and guidance."