AN EX-assistant teacher from Flintshire will never work with children again after admitting a sexual attraction to young boys, a court heard.

David Peters, of Maes Glyndwr in Treuddyn, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday.

The 24-year-old had previously admitted two offences of engaging in sexual communication with a child, both of which took place in Wrexham in 2022.

Karl Scholz, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had begun speaking to the boy on social media and as well as sending sexual images of himself in underwear, Peters called the child inappropriate and intimate names.

He also met the boy but, Mr Scholz pointed out, at no point did the defendant send any naked images of himself - or solicit any images from the boy.

The boy asked Peters to stop, but he persisted and even instructed the victim that he was not to tell anyone about their discussions.

When the offending came to light and Peters was arrested, he told officers: "I don't see the sexual part at all."

But Phillip Clemo, defending, told the court he has since come to terms with the reality that "he does have a sexual interest in teenage boys."

He accepts he was sexually attracted to this boy," he said, "and has something to work on there.

"This matter has been hanging over him for 18 months, during which there has been no further offending.

"He has been diagnosed in the past with anxiety and depression, for which he takes medication.

"And sadly, he wasn't taking it at the time this happened - simply because he felt he was getting better.

The Leader:

"He is no longer working, and is never going to again, in an environment where there are children."

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "It was so obviously wrong, and it's aggravated by the steps you took to try and prevent this young boy from reporting this.

"Clearly only a custodial sentence can be justified.

"I bear in mind that you have no previous convictions, your good work ethic and the fact that you've lost your employment and will never work in that environment again.

"For all of those reasons, the custodial sentence can be limited to eight months."

Judge Parry concluded that the eight month sentence could properly be suspended for two years.

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He told the defendant his rehabilitation would be "far better for the protection of the public and young boys in particular," as opposed to a comparatively short time behind bars.

Peters must undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity, ten months on a sexual offenders programme and 60 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay costs of £420.

Judge Parry imposed a sexual harm prevention order of 10 years to regulate and monitor his contact with male children and his use of the internet.

Peters was made subject to notification provisions as a sex offender for the same period of time.