07/02/09

A Burley man who referred to himself as "Biker Santa" as he rode around on his motorcycle dressed up as Santa was sentenced this afternoon for sexual abuse of a child under 16.

John Thomas Breeding Senior, 62, accepted a plea agreement with the state. His attorney says he chose the agreement because it was a good offer from the state and didn't want to go to prison because of his poor state of health.

Fifth District Judge Michael Crabtree said to Breeding, "The fact that you pled guilty in a case where it was arguable that you could have taken to trial has a beneficial effect that at least the young victim doesn't have to come to court and testify."

The plea agreement amounted to 15 years - 3 determinate and 12 years indeterminate. But Judge Crabtree suspended that sentence and placed breeding on 10 years probation.