Trathen denied intentionally sexually touching the girl in April of 2005. But at the end of his trial in July of that year a jury returned a 10-2 majority verdict that he was guilty.

During proceedings it was heard that his victim developed difficulties with her relationship towards her parents and life at school, and had resorted to self harm.

The Judge (Jeffrey Rucker) at Truro Crown Court sentenced him to 18 months in prison and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

He was however acquitted of having intentionally caused the girl to engage in sexual activity with him, and also of having sexually touched another young teenager.

Defence counsel Martin Edmunds stressed that Trathen had no other history of these offences [First time offence], and would not do it again.