Police satisfied with sex offender sentence

Tue, 12 Apr 2011

The Isle of Man Prison, where bell is serving a 7 year sentence

Police say they're pleased with a seven year jail sentence imposed on a man convicted of sexual offences against children.

24 year old Lewis Bell from Laxey was found guilty of gross indecency, indecent assault and possessing an indecent image of a child.

His victims were two girls aged 12 and 14.

The court heard the younger girl was forced to perform a sexual act on Bell.

The defendant was 21 years old at the time.

Deemster Moran told Bell he had been grooming the 14 year old girl when he exposed himself to her on more than one occasion.

Bell was placed on the sex offender's register indefinitely.

Acting Detective Sergeant Andrew Pailor says the sentence reflects the serious nature of the case and its impact on the victims.

He says the Public Protection Unit is committed to protecting children from people like Bell.

Bell is likely to serve around half of his seven year sentence before being released from prison on licence.