The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was found guilty last week.

The court heard he was a volunteer at his victim's school where he participated in reading and breakfast programs.

He was arrested last year after he kissed a 10-year-old girl on the lips and put his tongue in her mouth in an empty sports centre.

He also touched her breasts through her clothes.

The man pleaded not guilty, which required the child to give evidence through a pre- recorded interview with a detective.

Yesterday magistrate Simon Brown said if the man had shown genuine remorse he might have spared him a custodial term.

Instead, he sentenced him to three months' jail with six weeks suspended for two years, highlighting the grave breach of trust committed against a "young, vulnerable" child.

"Courts must be seen to condemn this kind of behaviour," Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown noted the man's complete lack of prior convictions and his commitment to volunteering.