A teenage music tutor who molested a young girl and persuaded her to send him nude photographs and video clips of herself has been spared custody.

Thomas Battison was freed after a judge said he would not get sex offender treatment if he imposed the youth custody sentence he had in mind.

“It seems to me the public interest would be best served by taking a course which enables and requires you to undertake that programme,” he said.

Battison, of Lewis Road, Swanscombe, had been remanded in custody after admitting sexual activity with a child and five offences of making an indecent photograph of a child.

The 19-year-old denied two other charges of sexual assault with another girl and they were left on the court file.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC imposed a community order, including sex offender treatment in the next three years. He will also be under supervision.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Battison was arrested after concerns were raised by the girl’s father.

The judge said he dealt with Battison on the basis of one incident of touching the victim over her clothing when she was aged 13 or 14.

At his request, she sent him three photos and two video clips, all taken on her mobile phone.

“Looking at these matters in the round, they were serious offences,” said the judge.

“They are made more serious by the fact you knew perfectly well what you were doing was wrong, given the disparity in your ages.

“It is clear you groomed and encouraged and eventually corrupted your victim into sending you indecent images of herself.”

Judge Griffith-Jones said he had received some impressive references.

Battison had experienced 22 days in custody on remand.

“I propose to take a lenient course and impose a community order, structured with appropriate requirements from which I hope you will benefit,” he added.

Battison was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years and banned from working with children.

John Connor, defending, told the court: “The reality is that this young man, with no previous convictions found himself in custody.

He has been attacked in prison, so he has literally had a short, sharp shock.”

To that extent, said Mr Connor, some punishment had already been carried out.