A SHAMED dental surgeon who was caught in a police sting after attempting to meet an underage boy for sex in Lickey Hills has been spared jail.

Richard Hayes-Hall, 61, was arrested on March 14 in Lickey Hills, where he had arranged to meet the ’14-year-old’, who was in reality a police officer.

Police found sex toys, condoms, ropes and padlocks in a bag in the footwell of the passenger side of the defendant's car.

Hayes-Hall had already admitted a single count of attempting to meet a boy under 16 following grooming, before sentencing at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, April 14.

Michael Conry, prosecuting, said that when Hayes-Hall learned of the boy's age, he wrote in a message: “Very nice – only 14. I would be happy to teach you a thing or two XXXX’."

Mr Conry said Hayes-Hall, a father-of-two from Poolbrook Road in Malvern, gave graphic descriptions of sexual activity but said it was ‘up to him’ (the boy) what happened.

The defendant had no previous convictions and had been a man of good character before this offence. He worked as a lecturer and was ‘highly regarded in his field’, said Mark Sheward, defending.

Judge Robert Juckes QC said: "I have to bear in mind the disgust most members of the public feel about the kind of behaviour you indulged in in this particular case.

"The public regard that offending with a highly understandable and proper degree of horror."

Hayes-Hall was assessed as 'a medium risk' and sentenced to 16 months in prison suspended for two years, must sign the sex offender's register and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, both for 10 years.

He must also take part in a sex offender's programme for two years and complete 20 rehabilitation activity days.