Grandfather jailed for sex offences

A BALLYCLARE, Co Antrim, grandfather who admitted a catalogue of sex offences against young girls in his family was jailed for…

A BALLYCLARE, Co Antrim, grandfather who admitted a catalogue of sex offences against young girls in his family was jailed for 18 months yesterday.

The 69 year old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to 15 specimen charges of indecent assault between 1963 and 1995. Among the victims were two daughters, two of his granddaughters and two of their friends.

The offences came to light last year when his 16 year old granddaughter complained of sexual abuse until the age of 12, and her mother revealed she had also been abused by her father.

Judge McKay told the defendant he was taking into account the fact that he recognised he needed help. But "you have abused two generations of your blood relations, and you abused your position as head of the family."