A Spalding man who pretended to be from the police in order to offer someone £100 to drop sexual offences charges against him, has been sentenced to nine months in jail.
James Viggers (39), of Claudette Avenue, was sent to prison for a total of nine months at last week’s hearing at Boston Magistrates’ Court.
He admitted two charges of illegal sexual activity with a 17-year-old, both in May.
The court was told that on both occasions it involved touching over clothes.
Viggers also changed his plea to guilty to harassment without violence following a later offence also in May.
Prosecuting, Turan Sunat told the court that the harassment charge occurred after the defendant had been formally charged with the sexual offences.
“He went back to the property (owned by the victim) with police to collect a bicycle.
“Ten minutes later there was a knock on the door and when the victim asked who it was, the defendant said ‘it was the police’.
“When they opened the door Viggers ran into the living room and said ‘quick, they can’t know I’m here or I’ll be in prison.’
“He gave the victim £100 and asked them to drop the charges. They told him to leave.”
A statement by the victim of the harassment charge, read out in the court hearing, stated that they’d suffered mental health problems including anxiety as a result of the incident.
“I live in fear that he (Viggers) is going to turn up and let himself into my house again,” it continued. “Every time my phone rings I’m scared it’s him.”
Defending Viggers, Lloyd Edwards told the court: “For someone who is 39 and has never come before the courts before, the risk of going to prison is a very frightening prospect.
“He’s very positive in saying to the court this is his first and only time he’s going to be before them for this sort of offence in the future.”
Chair of the magistrates Robert Skinner told the court the reason he was sending Viggers to jail because of the nature of the assaults.
Viggers was sentenced to eight months in jail for the sexual offences charges and another month for the harassment charge.
He was also ordered to pay £400 court costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
A five-year sexual harm prevention order was also made.
Restraining orders were also put in place against two individuals involved in the case.
