A RETIRED headmaster who sexually abused a 12-year-old boy during a visit to Ipswich is today starting a four year jail sentence.

Jane Hunt

A RETIRED headmaster who sexually abused a 12-year-old boy during a visit to Ipswich is today starting a four year jail sentence.

Sentencing 72-year-old Bryan Phillips, Judge Neil McKittrick said he posed a significant risk to children and ordered that when he is released after serving half his sentence he should be on licence for a total of four years.

Phillips, of Folkestone, Kent, admitted two offences of sexual assault and one offence of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity in 2006.

In addition to jailing Phillips, Judge McKittrick ordered him to sign on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and made a sexual offences prevention order restricting his future contact with children.

The court heard that in 2003 Phillips had been given a police caution for indecency with an adult male and a child dating back to 1970-1982.

Peter Gair, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court, said that while visiting Ipswich Phillips had indecently touched the boy on two occasions and had got the boy to touch him indecently on another occasion.

The offences came to light in 2007 and when the boy was interviewed he told officers that he hadn't been threatened by Phillips.

When Phillips was interviewed by the police he claimed the boy had “come on to” him and said the boy had “made it very obvious what he wanted to do”.

Richard Potts, for Phillips, said his client had been a headmaster at a primary school and had held posts in other schools.

He said Phillips suffered from osteoarthritis and this caused him pain and mobility problems.

Mr Potts said Phillips had made a considerable contribution to society in his role as a teacher.