Derry man who sexually abused niece during Covid lockdown jailed

A man has been jailed at Derry Crown Court on six charges of sex with an adult relative after his niece came to live with him during the first lockdown in 2020.

The man who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim admitted the six counts which occurred on dates between April 1 2020 and July 31 2020.

He also admitted two charges of supplying cocaine on dates between April 1 and May 31 2020.

Passing sentence Judge Neil Rafferty KC said in her victim impact statement the woman had talked of the shame she felt and he said 'no feelings of shame should be felt by her that is for the defendant.'

The judge said that with the outbreak of Covid the woman found herself out of work and went to reside with her uncle the defendant.

The court heard that the defendant started offering the woman drugs and this became 'a regular occurence'.

Then he began climbing into bed with her and the assault became progressively more intense culminating in penetrative sex.

Judge Rafferty said that the defendant's career now 'lies in tatters.'

In his pre-sentence report the defendant said he realised he should have protected his niece and the judge said that was right and that was 'why you are now sitting in the dock.'

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Describing the case as being one of 'graduated offending' the judge said it was clear 'drugs form a background to the case'.

He added that while the drugs were not offered 'to procure the offending they were an integral part of the offending'.

The judge said that the offences occurred against the background of 'a period of real major social' upheaval with the first lockdown in place and said people sought refuge where they could hence the defendant's niece coming to stay with him.

He sentenced the man to 14 months in prison, ordered him to sign the Sex Offender's Register for 10 years and place a five year Restraining Order on him barring him from having any contact with his niece.