Francis “Frank” Woodward was found guilty earlier this year of two counts of indecent assault.

Magistrate Sharon Cure found the 65-year-old man had touched the eight-year-old boy on the penis twice – once after driving the boy back to his unit and again “right under the noses” of his parents at their home in 2014.

The former City Mission supervisor was a family friend, often entrusted alone with the child.

Woodward was sentenced in Launceston on Friday to five months’ jail and placed on the sex offender register for 15 years.

It can now be revealed that Woodward was jailed for six months in 1984 for trying to rape a three-year-old girl.

He only ceased his attempt when the child started crying.

Woodward denied that offence as well.

“You have shown no insight or remorse,” Ms Cure said.

“The only sentence in my view is one of actual imprisonment.”

Ms Cure jailed Woodward, despite conceding that incarceration would not rehabilitate him.

She also refused to make a therapy order because she believed that would not rehabilitate him either.

She said the sentence would act as a public deterrent against such crimes.

But following his conviction, his lawyer James Oxley announced he would appeal, with a “retrial” possible later this year.

If that occurs, the child could be put on the stand again – because the case was based almost entirely on the boy’s testimony.

Mr Oxley filed the paperwork for the appeal immediately.

Woodward had his bail continued on Friday and was allowed to walk free, with the matter to return to court on May 1.

The case has been a long-running. His hearing took place last April.