Community sentence for touching girl's breasts

A man who touched the breasts of a 13-year-old girl who visited his Parklands home has been released on intensive supervision.

Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish said she had been considering a prison term but finally imposed a community-based penalty at the sentencing of Peter John Truman.

Defence counsel Glenn Henderson said Truman, a 51-year-old driver, had no previous convictions, had pleaded guilty, and had voluntarily begun counselling.

The court had been told he touched the breasts of a 13-year-old girl when they were alone in the spa pool at his home. He had earlier poured alcoholic drinks for two girls who were at the home, and had asked them about their sexual experiences with their boyfriends.

He admitted the charge of sexual conduct with a girl aged under 16.

Judge Farish released him under intensive supervision for 18 months with special conditions, and ordered him to undergo five months of community detention.