A sex offender who abused a six-year-old girl has walked free from court with no criminal record - because a punishment would dash his dreams of becoming a dentist.
Christopher Daniel, 18, was found guilty of numerous sexual assaults on the same girl over a two-year period.
But part-time judge Sheriff Gerard Sinclair at Dumbarton Sheriff Court in Scotland gave the teenager an absolute discharge, meaning he'll have no criminal conviction and will not be put on the sex offenders’ register.
It has now emerged a conviction would mean Daniel, who first abused his victim in 2016, would "probably be unable to continue his university course".
The Justice Office for Scotland statement said: “In light of the evidence as to the immaturity of the accused, and the nature of the discussion during which he admitted his actions, the sheriff considered the offence to be the result of an entirely inappropriate curiosity of an emotionally naive teenager rather than for the purpose of sexual gratification.
"The accused had appeared both noticeably immature and socially awkward, features confirmed by other evidence in the case.
"It was fortunate that the complainer appeared to have suffered no injury or long lasting effects."
Thousands have signed a petition calling for a review to this decision.
Sex offender 'let off' despite abusing girl, 6, because it could damage career
Christopher Daniel walked free from Dumbarton Sheriff Court in a highly unusual move
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