handing down of a suspended sentence this week to a man who indecently assaulted a child.

But the co-chairman of the Coalition for the Protection of Children felt the punishment was sufficient, considering the degree of abuse that occurred was "minimal''.

"It was not an unreasonable sentence in my opinion,'' Mrs. Margaret Hern said, noting the man had apologised for the offence, thus admitting he was wrong.

The man had admitted caressing the thigh and back of the 11-year-old girl while she was sleeping.

He also admitted touching her bottom and pulling her underwear halfway down her bottom, despite her cries to "leave me alone''.

Supreme Court Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for a year -- "considering the gravity of the offence and the need to protect young girls''.

"It sent the wrong message towards the protection of women and children. I was very disappointed with it,'' Health and Social Service Minister the Hon.

Quinton Edness said of the sentence yesterday.

"When a young girl is interfered with and the person is found guilty, I'm sorry a suspended sentence is not enough. He should have got the book -- the full force of the law.'' Women's Resource Centre Mrs. Shanda Simmons agreed the sentence should have been harsher, though not necessarily prison, because the man admitted he was wrong and pleaded guilty, saving the girl from testifying.

"By suspending the sentence the judge did not send the message that people who do that should be punished. He should at least have been given a stiff fine or community service,'' she said.

Mrs. Simmons added she was "gravely concerned'' over remarks by the man's lawyer, Mr. Archie Warner.

"For him to claim the man was comforting the child in some way is ludicrous.

I have never heard of one needing to comfort someone by pulling down their panties.'' Mr. Warner had said: "(The defendant) has said steadfastly he never had any sexual intentions. He said it was in the nature of offering comfort and reassurance to this young girl.''