The family of three children "terrorised" by a disabled sex offender today called his sentence of two years probation a disgrace.

Stephen Hall, 41, was put on probation by Bradford magistrates after he admitted carrying out acts of gross indecency on the young children.

Hall, who says he is terminally ill, is now living back at his home in Rokeby Gardens, Ravenscliffe, Bradford.

He has also been placed on the national register of sex offenders and he has to complete 20 sessions at the Bradford Child Sexual Abuse Perpetrators Project.

He told the Telegraph & Argus he deeply regretted what he had done and blamed it on "a moment of madness".

But relatives of his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were outraged that Hall had not been given a jail sentence.

The sister of two of his young victims said: "He has terrorised my family. It's disgusting that he has been given a probation order.

"All I hope is that the children will get over all of this."

The father of one of the victims said: "I can't put into words what I think about his punishment.

"I really can't bring myself to face the situation. His punishment is a disgrace."

Hall said he pleaded guilty to the charges for the sake of the children, although he claimed he did not carry out some of the offences specified in court.

"I didn't want them to have to go through giving evidence in court," he said.

"But it's all been blown out of proportion.

"I deeply regret what I did. It was in a six-month period and was a moment of madness."

The offences took place late in 1996 and early in 1997 at Hall's house. Hall said he is confined to a wheelchair because of a smoking-related condition called Buergers disease, angina and arthritis.

He also said he has suffered several strokes. His wife, Pat, is sticking by her husband despite his offences.

A spokesman for the Magistrates Association said: "The magistrates would have looked at the seriousness of the offence and studied the pre-sentence report. They would have felt their powers were sufficient to deal with this case."

An NSPCC spokesman said: "In these circumstances there is obvious distress to the victims and their families who may need specialist treatment, which could include therapy and psychiatric counselling.

"We also stress the abuser must undergo risk assessment and be subject to treatment."

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