A father whose son alleged he was sexually assaulted by former Newton police officer Jason Miller inside the bathroom of a Hampton fast-food restaurant, held a prepared statement as he stood before a judge.

SUPERIOR COURT -- As he stood in front of Judge Thomas J. Critchley on Wednesday, a father whose son alleged he was sexually assaulted by former Newton police officer Jason Miller inside the bathroom of a Hampton fast-food restaurant, held a prepared statement firmly between his hands.

"Our sweet, innocent son is gone forever. He loved people, he was outgoing and kind to everyone he met," he stated. "But his kindness was repaid with a heinous act that destroyed his faith in God, people and himself."

Miller, 42, of Hardwick, appeared in state Superior Court Wednesday where Critchley sentenced him to three years probation. Assistant Prosecutor Laura Nazzaro argued for the maximum five-year term of probation while Miller's attorney, Anthony Iacullo, argued for the minimal one-year probation term.

When handing down the sentence, Critchley imposed several conditions of Miller's probationary term, requiring Miller to have no contact with the victim and to undergo a psychological examination and follow all recommendations.

"It is something that shows a lack of judgment and impulse control, to say the least," Critchley said.

While Critchley found no mitigating factors that could lessen his sentence, he believed the plea deal was sensible for all parties to avoid additional trauma for the victim, adding that he didn't want anyone to think "that this was not a grievously serious thing."

In July, Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of fourth-degree child abuse/neglect and admitted to having a sexual encounter with a minor in the restaurant's restroom while leaving his child in a highchair unattended on Dec. 16, 2016. The state's plea deal of probation came abruptly after the case was in limbo for nearly two-and-a-half years due to conferences and motion hearings.

Miller was initially facing more than 30 years in prison on initial charges of second-degree sexual assault, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree criminal restraint and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.

Wearing a suit and tie, Miller, who declined an opportunity to speak, looked at a copy of the impact statement as the victim's father read it aloud.

The victim was not present in court but Nazzaro read a letter on his behalf, which detailed the emotional and physical struggles he has faced since the incident, which he identified as a sexual assault. In his statement to the court, the victim said dealing with his personal struggles has led him to consider a career as a victim advocate where he can help others become "survivors," not victims.

Iacullo argued during the hearing that Miller has had no run-ins with the law since his arrest in 2016, is working and has a family and children to support. "We respectfully ask Your Honor to allow everybody, the people involved, to put this behind them and move forward in every way possible," Iacullo said.

Nazzaro, in contrast to Iacullo's comments, stated, "I think you can see from the victim impact statements that although, yes, the victim is doing better, he is still struggling. This is not something that can just be put behind everyone involved, they are going to be continually impacted by this the rest of their lives."

Miller was on probation at the time of the offense, but that term expired in August 2017. His new term will start immediately.

Police say the evening of the assault, Miller left his then-3-year-old daughter in a high chair in the dining area of the restaurant to follow a 16-year-old male into the restroom. While initially charged with sexually assaulting the victim and the state indicating Miller forced the minor to perform a sexual act on him, Iacullo continuously denied Miller had sexually assaulted anyone.

Miller's arrest came a year and a half after he was sentenced to probation after he admitted to tampering with police records.

A Newton police officer since 2001, Miller admitted that between March 2014 and October 2014, he turned off the video and/or audio equipment in his patrol car to conceal unprofessional and inappropriate conduct.

Initially facing second-degree official misconduct, third-degree pattern of official misconduct and a disorderly persons offense of lewdness, those charges were dropped as part of the plea.

According to an arrest affidavit for his 2014 arrest, Miller was caught on video exposing his genitals to at least five motorists before letting them leave without issuing traffic summonses.

In addition to the probation term, Miller had to forfeit his position as a Newton police officer, which he had held since 2001; not hold any public police or public safety position; undergo a mental health evaluation; follow all recommendations and pay $155 in court penalties.

Miller's new probation term will be transferred to Warren County where he resides.

Lori Comstock can also be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.