A RETIRED headteacher who sent graphic sex letters to a 13-year-old boy has been put on probation for two years.

Anthony Tompkins wrote to the boy's headteacher asking to meet the youngster, because boys in shorts gave him "the hots", an earlier court hearing heard. Tompkins, 69, of Western Road, Hailsham, later found the boy's address through an electoral register. The boy's parents then intercepted sexual letters to the family home and Tompkins was arrested after police placed a hoax advert in a supermarket. Brendan Keany, defending, told Hove Crown Court how the letters spelt out Tompkins' fantasy, but he had no intention of carrying it out. He said Tompkins had showed remorse for distressing the boy's parents and previously enjoyed an impeccable record. Judge Richard Hayward said there was considerable public concern about the sexual abuse of children. But he added: "I accept that in writing out these letters you were acting out a sexual fantasy and that you would probably not have interfered with the young boy if you had ever got together." Tompkins retired in 1982 as head of a school in Chorleywood. He was put on probation for two years and ordered to pay £350 costs.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.