10/01/2019
Cliftonville's Jay Donnelly Handed Jail Sentence
Irish League footballer Jay Donnelly has been handed a four-month jail sentence for distributing an indecent image of a child.
The 23-year-old striker for Cliftonville Football Club was released from Belfast Magistrates' Court pending an appeal.
Mr Donnelly pled guilty to distributing the indecent image in the case that relates to an unknown date between June and October 2016.
It was revealed on Thursday 10 January that the footballer shared the image in a WhatsApp group including 10 other Cliftonville players.
District Judge Amanda Henderson said she found the case to be "such a gross invasion of privacy that the only appropriate sentence was an immediate custodial sentence".
In a statement following the sentencing, Cliftonville said the court's judgement and the intended appeal have both been noted and will be given due consideration.
"The club are mindful of their duties and responsibilities and will continue to act on this basis."
(JG/CM)
The 23-year-old striker for Cliftonville Football Club was released from Belfast Magistrates' Court pending an appeal.
Mr Donnelly pled guilty to distributing the indecent image in the case that relates to an unknown date between June and October 2016.
It was revealed on Thursday 10 January that the footballer shared the image in a WhatsApp group including 10 other Cliftonville players.
District Judge Amanda Henderson said she found the case to be "such a gross invasion of privacy that the only appropriate sentence was an immediate custodial sentence".
In a statement following the sentencing, Cliftonville said the court's judgement and the intended appeal have both been noted and will be given due consideration.
"The club are mindful of their duties and responsibilities and will continue to act on this basis."
(JG/CM)
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