In a judge-alone trial for indecent treatment of a child, a trial judge may set aside later inconsistent statements by a child complainant (here, a belated allegation of penetration) and rely upon earlier broadly consistent accounts buttressed by preliminary complaints. The isolated nature of offending, absence of corroboration, and inconsistencies in a child's evidence do not compel a reasonable doubt where the trial judge has properly directed himself and assessed the complainant's credibility. A sentence of two and a half years imprisonment suspended after fifteen months for an isolated offence of indecent treatment of a child under 12 in the offender's care is not manifestly excessive.
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