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Abuser preyed as mother trained Abuser preyed as mother trained
(about 15 hours later)
A Carrickfergus man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for abusing the children of an ex-girlfriend as she trained for the police.A Carrickfergus man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for abusing the children of an ex-girlfriend as she trained for the police.
A Belfast Crown Court judge told Robert Pedlow, 50, Glenkeen Avenue, she could not ignore his failure to plead guilty.A Belfast Crown Court judge told Robert Pedlow, 50, Glenkeen Avenue, she could not ignore his failure to plead guilty.
Judge Corrinne Philpott said this failure had necessitated a trial, at which he was convicted of sex abuse.Judge Corrinne Philpott said this failure had necessitated a trial, at which he was convicted of sex abuse.
Judge Philpott said she was in no doubt giving evidence for the brother and sister was difficult and harrowing.Judge Philpott said she was in no doubt giving evidence for the brother and sister was difficult and harrowing.
After the sentencing his victims, now in their 20s, said they were "delighted" Pedlow had been jailed.After the sentencing his victims, now in their 20s, said they were "delighted" Pedlow had been jailed.
"I am just glad that he got the length of time that he did get. It makes it worthwhile in a way for all that we have gone through," said the woman."I am just glad that he got the length of time that he did get. It makes it worthwhile in a way for all that we have gone through," said the woman.
Echoing his sister's comments, her brother said he was "doubly delighted".Echoing his sister's comments, her brother said he was "doubly delighted".
"I actually believed for a time that he would not get anything, such as being let-off with a suspended sentence, so I'm very pleased at the outcome."I actually believed for a time that he would not get anything, such as being let-off with a suspended sentence, so I'm very pleased at the outcome.
Threat
"It has renewed my faith in the justice system. There are too many cases that you hear about where people just get slaps on the wrists," he added."It has renewed my faith in the justice system. There are too many cases that you hear about where people just get slaps on the wrists," he added.
During Pedlow's trial in June, the court heard he abused the then nine-year-old girl and her seven-year-old brother during a three month affair he had with their mother between November 1991 and January the following year.During Pedlow's trial in June, the court heard he abused the then nine-year-old girl and her seven-year-old brother during a three month affair he had with their mother between November 1991 and January the following year.
He would abuse them while looking after them as their mother trained with the police.He would abuse them while looking after them as their mother trained with the police.
The abuse first came to light in September 2007 when the son told his mother about the abuse.The abuse first came to light in September 2007 when the son told his mother about the abuse.
Defence said that since his conviction Pedlow had come under "a threat", which had been reported to police, and that "he has suffered very considerably" and has become "somewhat isolated in the community".Defence said that since his conviction Pedlow had come under "a threat", which had been reported to police, and that "he has suffered very considerably" and has become "somewhat isolated in the community".
However, the lawyer said while convicted of gross indecency and indecent assault, offences which "unhappily speak for themselves", the abuse occurred over a relatively short period of time and was "not a campaign of sexual harassment".However, the lawyer said while convicted of gross indecency and indecent assault, offences which "unhappily speak for themselves", the abuse occurred over a relatively short period of time and was "not a campaign of sexual harassment".