A 70-year-old man with a history of sexual offending, described as “dangerous” and “unsafe” for children to be around, has had his six year jail term for abusing an autistic boy cut on appeal.

The UK citizen, who cannot be identified to protect the victim's identity, had pleaded guilty to one count of sexually assaulting the boy in a rural town in Co Mayo in April 2015.

Last February, Judge Rory McCabe sentenced the man to six years in prison.

The Irish Independent reports that the man successfully appealed his sentence yesterday, with the Court of Appeal holding that some further reduction ought to have been incorporated into his sentence in order to incentivise rehabilitation and to encourage him to treat children “with the respect that they deserve”.

Accordingly, the court suspended the final 15 months of a six year sentence on condition he participate in a sex offender's program and be of good behaviour.

Giving judgment in the three-judge court, Mr Justice Alan Mahon said the man had approached an 11-year-old autistic boy who lived in the area and was out playing on the road with his go-cart.

He offered the boy €25 if he would meet him in a nearby lane way where the assault occurred.

Mr Justice Mahon said the victim was greatly disturbed by the assault perpetrated on him.

In mitigation, he said the man, a UK national, had lived in Ireland for 14 years and with the exception of this offence, had a clean record for approximately 22 years.

Furthermore, he was the main carer for his significantly disabled wife.

Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards, said the court would reimpose a six year sentence but would suspend the final 15 months.