A former trainee firefighter today escaped a spell behind bars after sexually exploiting a 12-year-old girl when he was 20 years old.Joshua Crockwell, who is also well known as a member of the Robin Hood football team, met the victim when she was playing outside her home with friends."His friends told him to leave the little children alone," explained prosecutor Tawana Tannock today.However, he did not, and got to know the girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.They exchanged text messages and in June 2010, he arranged to meet her in the grounds of a school. He then caused her to attempt to perform oral sex on him twice.According to the prosecutor he pushed her head down towards his private parts during the incident.Ms Tannock said the victim suffered psychological and emotional distress, as did her family.Crockwell, now 22, from Pembroke, denied a charge of sexually exploiting the girl but was convicted after a trial. The victim was called as a witness for the prosecution during that trial.Ms Tannock said Crockwell deserved to be jailed for 15 months but defence lawyer Elizabeth successfully argued for the sentence to be suspended.Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo told Crockwell he will not have to serve prison time if he stays out of trouble for the next two years. He must also spend two years on probation.Crockwell, who has been suspended from his job pending the outcome of the case, apologised for his actions.