Two years of probation have been ordered for a 21-year-old Pembroke man who admitted touching a boy seven years ago.

Haromel Michael Beckles quietly left Magistrates' Court yesterday after Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner told him: "When I say cooperate with Probation Services, I mean not lip service. Or doing the minimum.

"I mean meaningful cooperation and necessary participation in any programme they have,'' he added.

"I'm warning you because if the Probation Services, feel in their view (that) you refuse to cooperate in all its meanings,'' Mr. Warner continued, "then you can be brought back here.

"And when that happens we are busy people and we are not going to spend much time with you.'' Mr. Warner added: "I am warning you because there may be some resistance in terms of cooperation. If that is the plan, let me know right now.

"This is your chance to get the help that you need and move forward from there. Do you understand?'' Beckles answered "Yes, sir, I understand'', the only words he would say all afternoon.

Moments earlier, after Mr. Warner sentenced Beckles to two years of probation, the victim's mother walked out of the court.

She was followed by her 13-year-old son who had sat through the hearing listening intently. He quietly left with one last glance back at Mr. Warner.

Beckles had pleaded guilty to touching the boy for a sexual purpose when he was seven years old between April and December 1994 while in a position of trust.

Beckles was 15 when he committed the offence. Now 21, he was represented by lawyer Delroy Duncan.

The victim told Police the pair would play wrestling games during which certain sexual activities would take place and they would also lie naked in bed.

Mr. Warner said "lengthy and detailed'' psychiatric and social inquiry reports were produced for him to consider before sentencing Beckles.

He explained that in sentencing Beckles, he had taken into consideration the "considerable'' amount of time that had passed since the offence was committed.

"In all the circumstances,'' Mr. Warner said, "I do not think that an immediate incarceration will serve any meaningful purpose.

"For this type of offence, one must consider the victim, (whether there) is any threat of re-offending, and how that can be minimised and also the defendant himself.'' As part of the probation Beckles must attend "any and all treatment programmes for sexual offenders and other programmes probation officers recommend''.