A 47-year-old man who admitted approaching the victim of his sexual abuse when they were in a Llandudno nightclub has avoided a prison sentence.

Barry Sheridan Hardern, of Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, had been banned from any contact after being convicted by a crown court jury of sexual activity with a child six years ago and jailed for four years.

He was then placed on a Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibiting him contacting the victim indefinitely.

However in September Hardern had encountered his victim, now an adult, in the nightclub and had gone up to him.

John Philpotts, prosecuting at Caernarfon crown court on Wednesday, said Hardern had spoken with the man and stroked his cheek.

Added Mr Philpotts : “There then followed a minor incident of disorder and the man was ejected from the club.”

Hardern at first stated the man had approached him but later admitted breaching the court order and a charge of assault.

Simon Killeen, defending, accepted that prison normally followed such charges but urged Judge Huw Rees to consider alternatives.

The judge said he was satisfied the encounter had occurred by chance and that there had been a lengthy gap between the order being made and the breach taking place.

He told Hardern: “You have been here before and you are aware a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made and is still in force.

“Last September there was a chance meeting with your victim and you approached him, spoke with him and made an affectionate remark and stroked his cheek.

“You must keep away from him, chance meeting or not. If he approaches you then you must turn away.”

A two-year community order was imposed, with courses organised by the probation service, and he was ordered to pay costs of £200.