A TEENAGER with learning difficulties who was abused for two years yesterday spoke of his joy over the paedophile’s hefty sentence.
Colin Gourley, 38, from Ballymena, Co Antrim, was given a total of 10 years at Antrim Crown Court for the abuse of two victims.
He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
Last week he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault against a girl aged eight from Stewartstown, Co Antrim.
And earlier this year a jury convicted him of molesting a 14-year-old boy with behavioural problems.
The boy, who cannot be named, had to undergo the stress of two trials before a jury unanimously found Gourley guilty.
Yesterday the now 17-year-old said: “I’m relieved and stunned, I just don’t know what to do with myself.
“When the jury couldn’t decide the first time my dad wanted me to leave it.
“But I wanted to beat the man who did this and now I have.”
His father said the judge who handed Gourley his two consecutive sentences of two-and-a-half years and seven-and-a-half years praised his son’s bravery.
He added tearfully: “We’re overjoyed and now both our families can get on with our lives.”
March 2007
Ballymena pervert pleads guilty to child sexual abuse
Colin Gourley, 38, from Ballymena, Co Antrim, yesterday pleaded guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault against an eight-year-old girl.
The pervert, who is also awaiting sentence for abusing a 14-year-old boy with learning difficulties, befriended the children’s parents over a 17-year period.
After the conviction at a Dungannon court, the parents spoke of their relief at his guilty plea and the chilling moment they discovered the abuse.
The mother of the young girl, now aged 12, from Co Tyrone, said: “I feel so relieved seeing him sent to prison.
“We’re just glad it didn’t come to the point when our daughter would have had to stand in court and relive what happened to her.”
The father of the special-needs boy, now 17, revealed how his son finally told him everything after playground teasing touched a nerve – two years after the abuse had started. He said: “We noticed his behaviour had become worse than usual. He was playing up a lot at school and had even kicked holes in walls and doors.
“I was extremely worried about him but he refused to open up.
“Then one day some kids in the street started teasing him and calling him gay and he just ran in the house.
“It all came spilling out. At first we couldn’t believe it.
“That man was almost part of our family – he had even lived with us for a time. But I know my son and I knew he wasn’t lying.”
After his son’s shocking revelations he feared for the safety of friends’ children he knew Gourley had also had access to.
When the other parents got his call about what the man who often looked after their eight-year-old daughter was capable of they were stunned.
The mother said: “I didn’t want to believe it but I had to be sure.
“I sat down my daughter and asked her if that man had ever done anything to her or touched her when they were alone.
“She told me everything – it had been going on for two years.” Gourley was tried for the offences against the boy in October last year but a retrial was ordered after the jury failed to return a verdict.
Four months later a jury unanimously found Gourley guilty of all 10 charges against him which included numerous counts of indecent assault and exposure.
He will be sentenced for both convictions at Antrim Crown Court.
The boy’s father said: “I will be sat in the courtroom that day just as I have been throughout both trials.
“Being the victim, my son thought he was to blame and it has taken a long time to get through to him that he’s not.
“It took a lot of courage for him to give evidence in court and we’re all hoping to get closure and get on with our lives as best we can.
“Things can start to get back to normal for both of the children when they see that man finally put behind bars for what we hope will be a long time.” Please like and share to show the victims of sex crimes we care plus leave a heart as a comment to show survivors respect thanks my friends…
