A TWISTED sex offender who abused a young boy almost three decades ago has been freed from jail on appeal.

John Scott Dalton, 43, subjected the youngster to a series of attacks in Barrow, but claimed he did what he did because he was "just curious".

The offences did not come to light until many years later when the now-adult victim told police.

Dalton admitted two indecent assaults and indecency with a child at Preston Crown Court in January.

He also pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing prohibited images of children and was jailed for 16 months.

But on Tuesday (17), after an appeal by his lawyers, three of the country's top judges ordered his release.

Mr Justice Sweeney told the Court of Appeal it was in the best interests of the public if Dalton was given a community order. It would allow him to seek specialist help to address his perverted behaviour, said the judge.

The London court heard Dalton's abuse of the boy had taken place over several weeks. He had performed sex acts on the youngster and caused him to do the same, telling the boy it was a "normal thing to do".

The crimes were not reported until 2014, when Dalton was arrested. Police seized a computer and memory sticks from his home and found digitally-generated images of children being abused.

Dalton's lawyers argued that he should never have been sent to prison and that a probation officer was right in recommending a community order.

He could be supervised and receive expert help to prevent future offences, with the risk of being sent to prison if he put a foot wrong, the court was told.

Giving judgment, Mr Justice Sweeney ordered that Dalton, of Ifor Street, Mountain Ash, south Wales, is to be released into the community.

He said: "We quash the sentence of imprisonment and substitute a three-year community order.

"It will have requirements that he complete the community sex offending group work programme and a supervision requirement for three years."

Pervert sentenced for sex offences against a child in Barrow