Derry Crown Court: Man (53) jailed for indecently assaulting three male relatives

A 53-year-old Derry man has been jailed at Derry Crown Court for indecently assaulting three relatives when they were all aged between 11-years-old and 13-year-old.

The man who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victims in the case admitted a total of five charges of indecent assault on a male between April 20 1983 and March 21 1986.

He also admitted a charge of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency between the same dates with the same victim.

He also admitted two charges of indecent assault on a different male child on dates between December 31 1997 and July 1 2000.

Offences against the third victim occurred on October 30 2004.

The court heard that the offences occurred when the children were staying with relatives where the defendant also resided. 
All of the offending occurred when the victims were in bed and the defendant would 'sneak in'.

As regards the first victim the court heard the defendant discovered the child had been smoking and threatened to tell his father if he revealed what had happened.

The victim said 'he was more scared of this than telling his father what the defendant had done to him.'

This victim did not disclose what had happened to him until 24 years later.

The third victim in the case who was assaulted on October 30 while in bed said he pretended to be asleep but the defendant said to him' I know you are awake - stop bluffing.'

This victim told his mother what had happened and there was  'a commotion' the next day at a family function when the victim's mother accused him of abusing her son.

Judge Philip Babington said the abuse had affected all three victims who said they didn't understand what was happening to them at the time.

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However, he said all three were 'relieved' they did not have to testify in court due to the guilty pleas.

In a pre-sentence report the defendant expressed his regret for what had happened and said he was 'disgusted with himself.'

The judge said that the offences were 'sneaky and nasty' in nature and aggravated by the fact there were three victims and the fact that the abuse occurred when the victims should have felt safe.

He sentenced the man to three years in custody and two years probation.

He also said he had to sign the Sex Offender's Register for an indefinite period and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order again for an indefinite period.