POLICE have welcomed the increased sentence given to a Co. Tyrone man after he was convicted of ‘heinous’ child sex offences on Tuesday.
The 48-year-old man from Dungannon was convicted in 2013 of sexual offences – included gross indecency and indecent assault – against three children under the age of 16.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victims, appealed his conviction after originally being sentenced to nine-and-a-half years.
Following a retrial, the sentence was increased to 11 years’ imprisonment at Dungannon Crown Court today.
Half of his sentence is to be served on licence.
The offender must also sign the Sex Offenders Register for life on release from prison.
'Enormous courage'
“The victims in this case showed enormous courage in recounting the heinous offences committed against them not once, but twice, as they had to repeat their evidence during the retrial,” said Detective Inspector Cross from the PSNI Public Protection Branch.
“I welcome today’s sentencing and whilst nothing will compensate for the abuse committed and the trauma suffered, I hope it gives the victims and their families some measure of comfort.
“PSNI Public Protection Branch is committed to investigating all reports of sexual offences against children and young people and will seek to place offenders before the courts so they can be made amenable for their crimes.
“We have specially trained officers who will treat all victims with sensitivity and respect.”
