Update: Now living in Scotland

May 2017

Pervert avoids prison after abusing three schoolboys

A pervert that sexually abused three young schoolboys has avoided a prison sentence

Derek McConville McDowell, 40 originally from Castlemara, Carrickfergus, County Antrim appeared at Belfast Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to nine child sexual offences

The court was told that over a four year period, McDowell repeatedly sexually assaulted three boys

The victims were aged five, ten and eleven years old

The abuse included sexual assaults and forcing two of the boys to engage in sexual activity with each other

The offences took place in the Castlemara area, when McDowell was himself aged between 14 and 18-years-old

Although other counts of sexual abuse were reported to the police, he admitted nine. Belfast crown court allowed the other six charges to be left on file.

The judge sentenced him to a total of three and half years which was suspended for three years

McDowell was told that he must register as a sex offender immediately