A regional press journalist found guilty of indecently assaulting a 12-year-old boy has been jailed for a year.

Oliver Rowland, (32), had denied the charge, but was last month found guilty by a jury at Reading Crown Court.

After the verdict was returned he resigned from the weekly Maidenhead Advertiser, where he had been on restricted duties since his arrest.

Rowland was found guilty of indecent assault for approaching a boy, putting a hand inside the boy’s trouser pocket and touching his penis.

He denied any sexual motive, claiming he searched the boy’s pockets because he thought the youngster had stolen some keys.

The 12-year-old had been walking his dog on North Town Moor at the time.

Sentencing the journalist to 12 months imprisonment, Judge Zoe Smith said his refusal to admit any sexual motive meant a custodial sentence was the only option.

She said: “An indecent assault is so serious an offence that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.

“This was a very frightening experience for a young boy.”

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