GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A man who pleaded guilty to assault after a girl accused him of fondling her will get no prison time.

Columbus “Ken” Kennett pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature during a hearing on Tuesday morning.

The former Greenville police officer and Northwest Middle School teacher’s aide was charged with two counts of committing a lewd act on a minor on Feb. 7, 2008.

Deputies said a girl accused Kennett of kissing and touching her.

Kennett was sentenced to 10 years in prison suspended to three years of probation.

“I overstepped my boundaries and allowed my life to go down a path it didn’t need to go down,” said Kennett during Tuesday’s hearing. “I’ll regret that for the rest of my life. I just ask for a second chance.”

The victim’s mother said she believes Kennett’s remorse is genuine.

“I hope he can get the help he needs to recover from this,” said the victim’s mother. “It is a sickness. I know it is. I think he was sincere.”

Prosecutors said that as part of a plea deal, Kennett will be required to register as a sex offender, complete counseling and is not allowed to have contact with the girl. They said he will also wear a GPS monitor for the rest of his life.