A PERVERT sobbed in the dock as he was jailed for committing a ‘gross’ sex act in front of a boy of 10 in a swimming pool shower room.

Judge Nicholas Cartwright called Neil Brown a “manipulative man” who had “no realistic prospect of rehabilitation”, during his sentencing hearing yesterday.

The 53-year-old, from Feckenham, was meant to be sentenced at Worcester Crown Court last Friday, but it had to be postponed after Brown turned up drunk.

The former NHS manager was convicted by a jury of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, following a trial in January.

The trial had heard that Brown, of Alcester Road in Feckenham, looked at the boy, smiled and raised his eyebrows as he performed the act at Droitwich Leisure Centre on December 16, 2017.

At the sentencing hearing Ravi Sinhu, prosecuting, said the sentencing guidelines would mean Brown was facing a a custodial sentence.

He added that that police felt Brown had a “high risk of reoffending.”

Abigail Nixon, defending, said: “He is a man of no relevant previous convictions, of previous good character.

“It is common for men in his position to deny what they have done. He has now confessed. He makes full admissions, and is remorseful.”

Sentencing him Judge Cartwright said it was clear he had done it before - over a 10 year period - which meant he was a risk.

Judge Cartwright said what happened to the victim was a “parent’s worst nightmare”, taking place in a leisure centre when the boy should have been safe.

The judge said Brown had tried to lie his way out of it, taking it to a trial where the boy had to give evidence.

“You are a manipulative man, you would say anything,” the judge added.

Brown was sentenced to 27 months in prison, and placed under a sexual harm prevention order.

The conditions prohibit him from entering any public or private swimming pool or sports centre where children could be present.

He was also ordered to pay £750 compensation.