A PAEDOPHILE has been jailed after inappropriately touching a young boy in a sexual way while he slept.

Michael Cullen was told by the courts his actions amounted to a ‘disgraceful abuse of the position he found himself in’, which involved a form of grooming.

The 36-year-old, from Widnes, was ultimately informed that the seriousness of the offences meant that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court to be sentenced yesterday, Monday, after being charged with sexual activity with a child under 16 and inciting a child under 16 into sexual activity.

Lee Bonner, prosecuting, explained how Cullen was convicted of the two counts by a jury after a trial which concluded last month.

The facts of the case were summed up by judge David Swinnerton, who presided over the trial and spoke of how the offences involved Cullen touching the boy’s penis and making him touch his.

The defendant ‘took an interest’ in the boy, and during the day he splashed water on the crotch of his pants in a water fight, drew a dog on his thigh and stroked his leg with his foot while watching a film.

“While taking place between two people of the same age, this would look a lot like flirtation,” judge Swinnerton commented, stating that by doing so Cullen was ‘making it clear he had a sexual interest in the boy’.

When the victim went to sleep, he woke up to the defendant stroking his back and putting his hand down his shorts, touching his bum and genitals for two to three minutes.

He then placed the boy’s hand on his own penis, outside and then inside his underwear. This went on for around five minutes while the boy was frozen in place, before he rolled over and it stopped.

Chester and District Standard: Michael Cullen was jailed at Liverpool Crown CourtMichael Cullen was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Bonner explained how the incident has affected the victim’s ability to sleep and his relationships at school, as well as how he feels about himself.

In defence of Cullen, Carmel Wilde referred to his previous good character and positive references from people with children who know him and trust him.

She said that the offence was opportunistic and not planned by the defendant, and while there was an element of flirtation, this was not a classic case of grooming over weeks and months.

“He is willing to work with the probation service, and it is for the greater good to engage in a programme rather than a period of imprisonment,” she added.

“I invite the court to consider that this case can be suspended. He is a man the probation service could work with to reduce the risk of offending in the future, and there is a reasonable prospect of rehabilitation.”

Before sentencing, judge Swinnerton said: “This was disgraceful abuse of a position you found yourself in.

“Weighing all the factors up, I take the view that I cannot suspend the sentence. I take the view that the only appropriate sentence is immediate imprisonment.”

Cullen, of Catherine Street in Widnes, was jailed for three years

He must also sign the sex offender register for life, abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order until a further order is made and comply with a restraining order prohibiting contact with the child.