A Crawley man who was jailed for indecently assaulting a 15-year-old boy has had his name cleared in a landmark ruling.
Norman Roy White, 40, of Langley Green, was given a two-year community rehabilitation order at Lewes Crown Court on March 19 last year.
Although he insisted he had honestly believed the boy was 16 and consenting, he pleaded guilty after the crown court judge ruled that could not amount to a defence.
Yesterday three Appeal Court judges overturned the convictions in the light of a decision of the House of Lords last July which, for the first time, created a defence where there is an honest belief a sexual partner is over 16 and consenting.
Mr Justice Douglas Brown observed: "Before pleading guilty, Mr White's counsel invited the judge to rule as to whether or not there was a defence available.
"The judge said there was not. That was the general understanding as to the position in law."
That was changed by the Law Lords' decision and Mr Justice Brown, sitting with Lord Justice Mantell and Judge Peter Crawford, said: "The grounds of appeal are irresistible."
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