after he pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a young person while in a position of trust.

His victim was 12 years old when she complained to her mother about the man last year.

Magistrates' Court heard that the episodes of sexual exploitation had taken place since July 1987, when the complainant was just three years old.

But the man's lawyer, Kim Wilson, said there were several mitigating circumstances surrounding her client's behaviour.

Ms Wilson said he was sexually abused by a male family friend when he was 14 years old.

And she added that her client had pleaded guilty to save the victim the "trouble of appearing'' in court.

Neither person can be named for legal reasons.

Ms Wilson claimed that all of the "episodes'' between the accused and his victim were "purely accidental and unintentional''.

But Magistrate Edward King told Ms Wilson: "That doesn't gibe. If you're saying that these episodes were accidental, then he should be pleading not guilty.

"He can't have his cake and eat it, too.'' Ms Wilson said the accused was now married to an American woman and he was the main breadwinner in that relationship.

She said giving the accused a prison term would have "grave effects'' on his wife and reminded Mr. King that it was the accused's first offence.

The man's wife also spoke on his behalf, saying: "I've never met a more wonderful, caring person...I love him dearly, and he is my life.'' But before handing down his sentence, Mr. King stated that "not only children, but the public should be protected from these types of individuals.'' And he added that a suspended sentence "is no sentence at all''.

Mr. King sentenced the man to two years of "penal servitude'' and recommended he receive medical and psychiatric treatment.