Man who made inappropriate sexual remarks to 14-year-old, jailed

A racing club member who made inappropriate sexual remarks to a 14 year old boy has been sent to prison.

Robert Black of New Road in Laxey appeared before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse.

The 58 year old had previously admitted provoking behaviour at the Andreas Racing Association dinner in the Park Hotel in Ramsey on January 22.

Prosecutor Chrissie Hunt told the court Black told the boy he looked like a girl, adding he was “into trans men” and could “give him the time of his life”.

The teen’s mother warned him to go away, but he made two further attempts to talk to the boy before police were called.

During a police interview after he was arrested, Black stayed silent.

The court heard he had been given a police caution for a similar incident in the past and his advocate told the court Black had a longstanding alcohol problem.

Magistrates criticised a character reference provided by the racing association for Black, and said jailing him was an issue of protecting the public.

Black was imprisoned for four months and ordered to pay £125 costs and £500 compensation to the youngster.