Derry man jailed for sexually abusing his partner's two granddaughters

A Derry man has been jailed at the local Crown Court for sexually abusing his partner's two granddaughters.

The man who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victims in the case admitted four charges of sexually assaulting one child between September 25 2011 and September 25 2015.

He also admitted two counts of sexual assault on the other child between February 17 2015 and February 17 2019.

The man also admitted causing a child to engage in sexual activity on a date between February 17 2015 and March 30 2019.

He also pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing indecent images of children on November 30 2021.

The children were aged 4 and 8 at the time they were abused.

The court heard that the offending came to light in November 2021 when the older child told her mother what had happened and said similar things had happened to her sister.

The defendant was arrested at the end of November and at the time of his arrest hid his phone in the bathroom wrapped in a towel. 

The phone was found some days later and the images were found on it. 

The children were interviewed and said the offending occurred at the defendant's home and consisted of touching the both inside and outside of their clothes. 

He told the oldest child it was 'their wee secret'. 

Similar offending took place involving the younger child who told police after one incident she went into another room and cried 'but she did not know why she was crying.' 

At interviews the defendant denied all of the allegations.

Judge Philip Babington said that reports indicated the effect the abuse had on the children and he added: "The court wishes them well in the future and applauds their bravery in coming forward."

A pre-sentence report compiled on the defendant noted he had expressed 'regret and remorse' for his actions and he told the author 'I hope the judge gives me the maximum sentence as I deserve it.' 

Judge Babington said the offending was aggravated by the age of the victims, the serious degree of harm they suffered and the breach of trust involved in the case. 

He imposed a sentence of 5 years on the defendant with half in custody and half on licence. 

The man must sign the Sex Offender's Register for an indefinite period and is subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.