A disgraced ex-cop and overseas religious missionary - who eventually admitted sex attacks on a teenage girl and ten year-old boy over thirty years ago - has dodged prison.
Retired police officer Malcolm Spreckley, 65, of Sparrow Drive, Orpington, repeatedly fondled the girl's breasts as she lay in the upper bunk bed above her younger sister and once caressed the young boy between the legs.
Spreckley, who through his church has volunteered for missionary work in Ghana, and was supported in references by his former Police Inspector was placed on a three-year community order which includes a supervision and sex offender requirement.
He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown court to two specimen counts of indecently assaulting the girl when she was aged 14-16 years and one count of indecent assault on the boy on dates between 1977 and 1981.
Prosecutor Mr. James Stansfeld told the court: "Mr. Spreckley would come into her bedroom while she was asleep and start to touch her around the breasts as he was standing there and masturbating.
"She could not move. she was rigid," added the prosecutor, explaining the victim resorted to wrapping her duvet tightly around herself or kept chatting to her sister - six years her junior - into the early hours to thwart Spreckley.
The attacks ended when the girl reported the defendant to police, but no charges were brought against Spreckley (pictured) - then a serving police officer.
He was watching television on the sofa with the boy - wearing only a dressing-gown and some underpants - when he began cuddling the victim.
"Mr. Spreckley put his hand inside the boy's pyjama bottoms for a minute of two," explained Mr. Stansfeld. "He then put the boy's hand on his semi-erect penis and said words to the effect of: 'Do you like it?"
Three years later the boy, who later attacked Spreckley, reported him to police, but no further action was taken.
The offences only reemerged during counseling sessions the troubled male victim had with police after committing offences involving drugs and violence and he has now emigrated to Australia.
First-time offender Spreckley's only other brush with the law was a warning for harassing a 16 year-old girl and inviting her to meet him via email.
The court heard Spreckley's "faith and conscience" inspired him to admit the offences and avoid forcing the victims to give evidence.
He served thirty years in the police force with "distinction" the court was told.
Judge John Tanzer said of the victims: "The conviction will allow them to place a line under this matter and help them."
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