THE decision not to jail a high risk sex offender has caused outrage.

Keith Holloway, of Worcester, has thrust his exposed genitals against a three-year-old girl in a supermarket, filmed under the skirts of young women and offered a girl of eight an ice pop, telling her she was 'beautiful' and inviting her to use his new shower.

But the 65-year-old was not sent to jail by Judge Nicholas Cole at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday because the most recent breach of his sexual harm prevention order was deemed too 'minor' and because Holloway's barrister said prison would be 'crushing'.

It is the fourth time Holloway has breached the same order since it was imposed in September 15, 2017. Three breaches involved his possession of devices with cameras and the most serious involved the befriending of a child (the eight-year-old girl).

Holloway, of Back Lane South, Barbourne, was back in court on Wednesday for failing to tell his offender manager he had bought a new mobile phone fitted with a camera. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £350 costs.

Worcester News readers reacted with outrage, calling the sentence "a joke".

One reader, Norman Base, wrote: "Only a matter of time before he offends again".