A MAN who indecently assaulted a 14-year-old schoolboy at his carpet shop in Harpenden has been jailed for 18 months.

Luton Crown Court heard Peter Howard, 40, a partner in Roland's Carpets, Church Green Row, assaulted the boy in the shop, in his car and at the boy's home in Hitchin.

He told police: "I was his absolute hero. To cut a very long story short, I fell in love with him."

But Judge Ronald Moss told him: "You were a man of 40 who took an unhealthy interest in a 14-year-old boy.

"You grossly abused the trust put in you. There has to be a custodial sentence to mark the disapproval of the way you behaved."

Howard's barrister, Neil Guest, asked the court to put the married father on probation.

He said: "It was like an addiction to a forbidden love. He accepts he needs to change and has sought help."

Mr Guest added if Howard was jailed there was a risk of his business "going under".

Howard, who lives in Hitchin, pleaded guilty to six charges of indecent assault between July and October 1997.

Michael Greenslade, prosecuting, said during that time Howard became a frequent visitor to the boy's house, bought him gifts, had the house carpeted and paid him for jobs he did at his shop.

He was arrested after the boy's mother caught sight of something suspicious.

When Howard was questioned, he made full admissions, even admitting to things the boy had not alleged.

Howard was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. Although he will probably only serve nine months of the sentence, he will be under supervision for the full term.

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