A CARE worker who was 15 when he allegedly handcuffed and sexually assaulted a younger boy was spared jail.

Ryan Gough-Hughes, 28, of Highbury Avenue, Prestatyn, had been playing a game of hide-and-seek when he molested the boy, Caernarfon crown court heard.

Simon Rogers, defending, said: "This conviction will have devastating consequences for him, of that there can be no doubt.”

Counsel remarked: "I accept there are unpleasant aspects to the case. In reality this was sexual experimentation by a 15-year-old boy that has never been repeated.”

The defendant had been a care worker at the time of a trial when he was found guilty of the offence.

He had lost his job.

Mr Rogers said it was a “relatively short-lived” incident and there had been no repetition.

The barrister argued it was an “exceptional” case.

Recorder Peter Rouch QC, on a video link from another court, said toy handcuffs had been used on the victim who was led to a secluded spot and told no-one would believe him if he said anything.

“The incident must have had a lasting effect on him because of his complaint to the police now,” the judge remarked.

Gough-Hughes had been a valued member of staff as a care worker but lost that job for the “isolated” offence.

He would have been far less mature 13 years ago.

A two-year suspended jail term was imposed and he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

Recorder Rouch accepted: "This was an incident of sexual experimentation.”