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Sex abuser 'too fat for prison' | Sex abuser 'too fat for prison' |
(10 minutes later) | |
A 66-year-old church elder convicted of indecently assaulting a child will not be sent to jail because his obesity means his health is "precarious". | A 66-year-old church elder convicted of indecently assaulting a child will not be sent to jail because his obesity means his health is "precarious". |
John William McConaghy, from Urbal Road, Dervock, County Antrim, was found guilty of indecent assault. | |
Judge David Smyth at Antrim Crown Court suspended a two-and-a-half year term. | |
He said McConaghy's lack of mobility, ulcerated legs and need for frequent dressings amounted to "wholly exceptional circumstances". | |
The jail term was suspended for three years and a £10,000 fine was also imposed. | The jail term was suspended for three years and a £10,000 fine was also imposed. |
During a 10-day trial in October McConaghy's victim, who is now 44, said she was indecently assaulted from the age of around 10 until she was 18. | During a 10-day trial in October McConaghy's victim, who is now 44, said she was indecently assaulted from the age of around 10 until she was 18. |
'Not happy' | 'Not happy' |
She said that she was assaulted so often it became "the norm". | She said that she was assaulted so often it became "the norm". |
She said McConaghey's abuse "petered out" as she reached adulthood and struck back at him, scratching his face as she fought him off. | She said McConaghey's abuse "petered out" as she reached adulthood and struck back at him, scratching his face as she fought him off. |
Speaking after the sentencing the woman said was "not happy" he was freed, but nevertheless understood the reason why. | Speaking after the sentencing the woman said was "not happy" he was freed, but nevertheless understood the reason why. |
"I am happy with the sentence he got, I think that was a fair sentence, but I am not happy with the suspension of it, but I understand the reason for it on medical grounds." | "I am happy with the sentence he got, I think that was a fair sentence, but I am not happy with the suspension of it, but I understand the reason for it on medical grounds." |
She added that she was glad she had pursued the case against him, "because everybody now knows, church elder or not, what he is". | She added that she was glad she had pursued the case against him, "because everybody now knows, church elder or not, what he is". |
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