The revelations that a teenage girl suffered “depraved and humiliating” physical and sexual abuse at the hands of a Co Derry man after moving from a children’s home to secure accommodation has prompted the chairperson of the Stormont Health Committee to call for stronger powers for the inquiry set up to investigate child exploitation in Northern Ireland.
Prof Kathleen Marshall
Derry Sinn Féin MLA Maeve McLaughlin was speaking after a 44-year-old man was jailed for 12 years at Derry Crown Court yesterday for abusing the homeless teenage over a three year period.
Passing sentence, Judge Philip Babington said after the girl moved into the secure accommodation “nobody bothered with her” apart from the accused, who cannot to be named to protect the identity of his young victim.
The accused admitted eight charges of indecent assault, two of gross indecency and making a threat to damage property.
He also pleaded guilty to eight charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
All the offences were committed between January 2006 and December 2009 and began when the girl was just 15-years-old.
Ms McLaughlin, who is set to meet Health Minister Edwin Poots to discuss the case, said what had happened showed the vulnerability of young people and those involved in the case had questions to answer.
Last November, Mr Poots announced an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Northern Ireland was to be headed by a former Commissioner for Children in Scotland Professor Kathleen Marshall.
Her appointment followed Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmation that an investigation known as Operation Owl was looking at cases of suspected abuse of 22 children.
It is understood yesterday’s case was not one of those involved in Operation Owl.
Tags: